The Table and the Chair explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Adventure and Exploration

  The Table and the Chair embark on a walk around town, exploring beyond their usual confines.

• Social Absurdity and Conformity

  The townspeople's astonishment at seeing a table and chair walking highlights the absurdity of social norms.

Characters to notice

• The Table and the Chair

  The Table and the Chair take a walk around town, get lost, and are escorted home by animal friends.

• The Ducky-Quack

  The Ducky-quack helps guide the Table and the Chair back home.

• The Beetle

  The Beetle assists in guiding the Table and the Chair home.

• The Leetle Browny-Mousy

  The leetle Browny-Mousy helps guide the Table and the Chair home.

Key passages

• “I said the Table to the Chair, “You can hardly be aware How I suffer from the heat And from chilblains on my feet. If we took a little walk, We might have a little talk; Pray let us take the air,” Said the Table to the Chair.”

  The Table complains to the Chair about the heat and his sore feet, suggesting they go for a walk to chat and get some fresh air.

  The Table initiates the adventure by proposing a walk.

• “Said the Chair unto the Table, “Now, you know we are not able: How foolishly you talk, When you know we cannot walk!””

  The Chair reminds the Table that they are not capable of walking, calling the suggestion foolish.

  The Chair expresses doubt about their ability to walk.

• “So they both went slowly down, And walked about the town With a cheerful bumpy sound As they toddled round and round; And everybody cried, As they hastened to their side, “See! the Table and the Chair Have come out to take the air!””

  They descend and toddle around town with a bumpy noise, causing everyone to rush over and exclaim in surprise at seeing them out for a walk.

  The Table and Chair's walk attracts attention from the townspeople.

• “But in going down an alley, To a castle in a valley, They completely lost their way, And wandered all the day; Till, to see them safely back, They paid a Ducky-quack, And a Beetle, and a Mouse, Who took them to their house.”

  While walking down an alley toward a castle in a valley, they get lost and wander all day until they hire a Ducky-quack, a Beetle, and a Mouse to guide them safely home.

  The Table and Chair get lost and are rescued by animal helpers.

• “Then they whispered to each other, “O delightful little brother, What a lovely walk we’ve taken! Let us dine on beans and bacon.” So the Ducky and the leetle Browny-Mousy and the Beetle Dined, and danced upon their heads Till they toddled to their beds.”

  They happily remark on their lovely walk and decide to have beans and bacon for dinner. The Ducky, the little Browny-Mousy, and the Beetle then eat and dance on their heads until they go to bed.

  The group celebrates their adventure with a meal and dance.