The trick was to shoot the corks into the monkey's open mouth. That was easy. Little Elephant took up a cork in the end of his trunk, aimed, and blew. Away shot the cork, poof! But it didn't hit the monkey. It caught Father Elephant in a tender place just behind the ear. That didn't please him at all.
When Father Elephant was settled down to his reading again Little Elephant tried once more. But just then Mother Elephant yawned. She wasn't used to getting up so early. And the cork landed plunk! right in her mouth. She coughed and gasped and Father Elephant thumped her on the back.
"Now, Little Elephant, you'll have to run outdoors and play," she sputtered as soon as she got her breath again.
When dinner was ready Mother Elephant called Little Elephant to come in. The table was sagging in the middle from all the food, and the good smells made Little Elephant's trunk quiver.
"Oh-oo!" said Father Elephant, sitting down at the head of the table in a great high-backed chair.
"Ah-aa!" sighed Mother Elephant as she dropped into a smaller chair at the other end.
