In case Z--which is the relevant one--vat vould vee do in the sky's position? We might fall and we might not, depending on whether we wanted to or not. The solution to the problem, therefore, is to make the sky not want to fall. And this is done by a policy of . . .

"Fox Holes," shouted Foxy Moxy.

"By a policy of deterrence," sneered the owl. "The problem is as yet theoretical and not practical."

"I hate deterrence," clucked Henny Penny.

"In any case," Owly Vowly concluded unruffled, "vat I have said supports rather than not supporting the suggestion of Chicken Little that we tell the King, and I myself shall go along to clarify the problem."

Chicken Little heaved a sigh of relief. "Well," he said encouraged by so impressive an endorsement, "let us go and tell the King." And so the animals went off to the palace.

At the Palace

When they arrived they were greeted by the King's press secretary, who announced: "the King reads books at a prodigious rate and therefore has a lightning grasp of the weather conditions in his kingdom and of all the statistical, economic, political, social, and philosophical factors of the situation. Since this is a constitutional monarchy, however, he has graciously consented to address his subjects."

A cheer went up from the assembled multitude, for at that moment the king walked out on his balcony. King Chipmunk III cut a handsome figure; his paunchy cheeks and tiny nose gave character to his noble chipmunk face; his rich coat of light brown hair was universally admired; and his high-pitched, squeaky voice sent chills down the spines of all his subjects.

"This is a time of crisis," King Chipmunk squeaked grandly. "The sky is falling. It is satisfied but not stratified. And will get lower before it gets higher. Yet higher it will get, if freedom can make it so. What is needed is courage, vigor, and self-sacrifice. My loyal subjects, I give you these words of advice: Ask not what the sky can do to you, ask rather what you can do against the sky. And as for shelter, do not fear to build but do not build from fear. And remember throughout that the weather is not negotiable."

"Hooray," yelled Chicken Little, and the other animals joined in, for the King was very popular. Then the Press secretary added:

"The address of King Chipmunk III should clear all doubts from the minds of his subjects. Any apparent ambiguities in his speech should be interpreted as exhortations to his people to go home and work for the coming Congressional elections. This is, after all, a constitutional monarchy."

Home Again

And so the animals went home, Owly Vowly to his books, Foxy Moxy to developing a new Fox Hole "with deterrent action," Henny Penny to writing perfectly frantic letters to government officials.

And Chicken Little went back to cultivating his garden. "Oh dear," he exclaimed, as another chunk of sky hit him on the head. But then he caught himself partiotically, remembering that one must, after all, accept such things in times of crisis and Congressional elections.