Joke books, part II

Phoebe is still claiming to have a "joke book" to share when what she actually has is a "joke." Of course, I'm using the term "joke" very loosely. If you've ever heard a four-year-old author their own joke, you know what I mean. What I mean—and I say this with love—is: they're often not very funny.* 

The other night at dinner Phoebe announced she had a joke book for us and launched into the most mundane little story.

"Once upon a time, Mom had to go to campus. But then she came back."

No laughter. 

"And she put down her bag and she said, 'I'm home.'"

No laughter.

"Why is nobody laughing?" she wanted to know.

"Well..." I said regretfully. "I'm not sure we understand how this is funny..."

"Oh, that's because that was only the first chapter," she said. 

So this really is a joke book. 

"Chapter two. Let's see..."

Let's just say her punchline never landed, poor thing. 

* This is not to say that they're never funny! Children this age are routinely hilarious, though most often unintentionally so. But there was that one joke about the dead goose that Alexander came up with when he was younger that we still tell to this day! 

Q: What does a dead goose say?
A: Haunt! Haunt!