The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me

The Duke says the Duchess’s jewels are worth millions. As a reward, he offers the animals his best feed barn as a place to live, with “Central heating, showers, a kitchen and anything else you desire” (57). All he asks in return is that they keep his windows clean and harvest the estate’s apples and cherries. The Duke also wonders if the Pelican might, now and then, give him a ride in his beak. The Pelican offers to do so at once, but the Duke decides to wait until after tea.

The Giraffe says the animals haven’t eaten in days, but the Duke says food “is no problem around here” (58). The former mentions her difficulty finding the right type of food. The Duke, an expert on African animals, says he identifies her as a Geraneous giraffe who requires the flowers of the tinkle-tinkle tree. He points out his very own grove of the trees; the Giraffe cries out of joy, gallops to the trees, and begins eating.

The Duke tells the Monkey to enjoy the nut trees that grow on the property, especially the walnuts.