At last the family started off. Father Elephant was wearing a new black and white checked cap set over one ear. And his tusks were all painted with red and black stripes. He had used the tusk-paint Little Elephant had given him for Christmas. Father Elephant was very proud of his looks. He walked ahead with big, slow steps, for he carried the heavy lunch basket. Every few seconds he turned around to say, "Do hurry up! We'll miss the street car."
Mother Elephant, dressed in her red cape, and carrying her big umbrella, followed after, swinging a big jug of lemonade from her trunk.
Little Elephant had all he could carry with his boat and his fish pole.
Grandpa Elephant came shuffling along behind with a tree-MEND-ous custard pie, all packed up in Mother Elephant's hatbox! Of course, a custard pie was a queer thing to take on a picnic, but Mother Elephant made the most wonderful of custard pies. It was one of her specialties.
"Now do be careful with that custard pie!" warned Mother Elephant. She didn't really think the pie was very safe with Grandpa Elephant and she wanted to carry it herself.
"Oh, don't you worry," squeaked Grandpa Elephant, "I'll watch the pie."
