The sun warmed the clearing. Every animal sat perfectly still, faces pinched tight.
Pip bounded into the clearing. But nobody moved. A dandelion seed drifted down, settling on Squeaky's nose. He did not blink.
Pip climbed the stump. 'Why did the fox cross the road?' he called. A beetle marched past. No one smiled.
'What do you call a grumpy hedgehog?' Pip yelled. Oliver blinked slowly. The wind sighed. Nothing.
Pip's ears drooped. His tail went flat. He thought: Nobody wants my jokes.
He tiptoed to the old oak and whispered his best joke. Then — PFFFFT! A whoopee cushion burst beneath him!
Pip's nose twitched. A giggle popped out. Then Squeaky doubled over. Then everyone erupted!
One by one, the animals joined in. Tails wagged. Bellies shook. The clearing rang with laughter.
The animals gathered around Pip. He told another joke. They giggled. Then another. And another.
Pip looked around at all his friends. His tail wagged and wagged. This was the best clearing ever.