Why?

Lily does one thing that drives her dad mad. It was something she said all the time -- first thing in the morning, at breakfast, out shopping, when her dad read her a story, and at bedtime. She asks, "Why?" And she keeps asking it to her father's frustration. Until one day while playing in the park something astonishing happens -- a gigantic "Thargon" spaceship lands and out pop some unfriendly-looking Thargons who announce, "Tremble, Earthlings! We have come to destroy your planet" -- and everyone trembles, except Lily, who asks, "Why?" And she keeps asking why until the Thargons consult with each other and come to the conclusion that their approach to Earth may be wrong, so they announce their decision to go home and think about it. show more Lily's father wisely puts his hand over her mouth just in time to prevent her from asking "Why?" and the Thargons leave in peace. That night Lily's father tells her how proud he was of her today and how he would never complain about her asking "Why?" again. (Of course, she asks "Why?")

The endpapers of the hardback edition are covered in crayoned translations of the word "Why?" in various languages. show less

Lily is always asking her father questions, however he gets annoyed sometimes. One day something strange happens and her dad becomes proud of her that she asks him why.