# The Table and the Chair explained — Nonsense Books > Chapter companion for Nonsense Books by Edward Lear. ## What happens The Table and the Chair, despite their inability to walk, decide to take a stroll around town, causing a stir among the townspeople. They lose their way and are guided back home by a Ducky-quack, a Beetle, and a Mouse, after which they all dine and dance together. ## 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. ## Character check-ins ### 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 lines > 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._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/the-table-and-the-chair - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nonsense_books_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters