Jibby Jones · Chapter
XX: Orlando explained
Jibby Jones uses a clever trick involving a cat named Orlando (pretending it is a skunk) to recover the stolen 1804 dollar from the Tough Customer, who has fallen into a dry well.
What happens
Jibby Jones uses a clever trick involving a cat named Orlando (pretending it is a skunk) to recover the stolen 1804 dollar from the Tough Customer, who has fallen into a dry well. Afterward, Jibby insists on finding the perfect place to think before the treasure hunt, eventually choosing Wampus Smale's woodshed. The chapter also reveals that Orlando is actually a pet skunk belonging to Jibby's father.
Themes in this chapter
Cleverness vs. Brawn
Jibby uses imagination and experience to outwit the Tough Customer, recovering the dollar without physical confrontation.
Imagination and Ingenuity
Jibby's trick of pretending a cat is a skunk demonstrates the power of imagination combined with experience.
Friendship and Teamwork
The boys work together to execute Jibby's plan and later search for a thinking place as a group.
Characters to notice
- Jibby Jones
Orchestrates the recovery of the 1804 dollar by using a cat (Orlando) to intimidate the Tough Customer; later insists on finding a suitable thinking place.
- Wampus Smale
Carries the green felt bag containing Orlando; stands ready with a spade to guard the Tough Customer.
- Tad Willing
Stands ready with an axe to guard the Tough Customer after he is pulled from the well.
- Skippy Root
Helps pull the Tough Customer out of the well with a rope.
- The Tough Customer
Falls into Jibby's elephant trap in the dry well; surrenders the 1804 dollar to avoid being attacked by the supposed skunk.
- Orlando
Jibby's father's pet skunk, initially carried in a green felt bag and used as a bluff to scare the Tough Customer; later revealed to be a skunk.
- Rover
Not directly mentioned in this chapter.
Key passages
“When you have Experience and Imagination hitched up together, you can do almost anything.”
Combining practical knowledge with creative thinking enables one to accomplish nearly any task.
Jibby reflects on the success of his trick, emphasizing the value of experience and imagination working together.
“I sort of imagined that Tough Customer was not going to let an 1804 dollar drop down a sewer.”
Jibby guessed that the Tough Customer would rather give up the dollar than risk losing it in the sewer.
Jibby explains his reasoning behind the bluff, showing his understanding of the Tough Customer's priorities.