They saw The Motmots at the entryway. There were two other people dressed a gnomes at the door, making sure no one got in with a costume.

When Carl and Madeleine were going to enter, one gnome held up a lantern he was carrying to inspect the guests. He continued to stare at them in a puzzled way. "I wish he'd put that lantern down," thought Carl, "he's blinding me!"

Just as Carl was about to sit down and shield his eyes with his paws, the other gnome's face brightened up. He then shouted with very gnomish glee, "Oh! They must be Beauty and the Beast. Great costumes! Go on in."

When Carl and Madeleine entered to mansion, there were countless people dressed up as anything you can think of. In the large ballroom were many lamps and jazzy décor everywhere. Since Carl and Madeleine couldn't find her parents, they decided to go look around.

As Carl explored the party, he found an exceptionally large gray cat sitting on a bench. "Hmmm," Carl thought, "I haven't chased a cat in an awfully long time, and this one needs some exercise." But just as he was about to engage in the chase, the shaggy cat turned around to reveal a young girl's face peering out of the cat costume. Carl looked like he wanted to disappear.

After recovering from his embarrassment, Carl found himself at the food bar. A man dressed as a watermelon was in charge of the bar. He was serving two people with fish heads. "Wonder how much these popsicles cost?" Carl wondered.

So Carl got a Popsicle for himself and Madeleine since they were free. Carl got a green apple Popsicle and Madeleine got a cherry flavored one. "Well, Carl," said Madeleine to Carl, "this has been a great party so far."

After Carl and Madeleine finished their Popsicles, they further explored the party. They saw the weirdest costume there. It was someone dressed like a baby riding a huge Rottweiler! "How did she get her costume to look so real?" muttered the girl who wore this costume, looking jealously at Carl and Madeleine.

The Carl and Madeleine saw her parents talking together. Well, Carl was the only one who noticed. Madeleine only absentmindedly look at them, then turned her attention to the strange costumes people were wearing, such as the Grim Reaper and an ostrich with purple feathers.

Mr. and Mrs. Motmot went off to examine the food bar.  Madeleine wanted Carl to look at this one extravagant costume. It was a lady with a puffy, frilly blue dress and a tall white wig with a large red satin bow in it. "People sure have weird costumes," said Madeleine, poking the lady's dress.

After walking around awhile, Carl and Madeleine found a room in the mansion in which there was a piece of cardboard painted and cut to look like a boat tunnel. It was called "The Tunnel of Love". "Hey, Maddy, want to get our picture taken?" suggested Carl.

People would go behind the tunnel, pretend to be in the boat, and have a photographer take their picture. Madeleine thought that was a good idea, so they clambered up behind the Tunnel of Love. Carl nuzzled Madeleine, and she hugged Carl for their photograph.

When they finished admiring the photo, they went outside. There was a band dressed like frogs in tuxedo tails and striped knickers. Just then Madeleine tugged Carl's ear so he would go with her. Carl let out a yelp that wasn't heard over the boom of the frog band.

Madeleine ran over to a carnival-style booth being run by a clown. The object of the game was to catch a plastic fish with a rod to win a stuffed animal. So Madeleine fished. Carl stuck his head in the tub of water where the fish were floating, to count the fish, when Madeleine won. "Well, what stuffed animal do you want, Little Lady?" asked the clown.

Madeleine chose a gray elephant. The clown handed it over happily. "Uhh, Madeleine, I think we should try to find your parents. It's getting late," said Carl, looking around.

Then, Carl saw that their parents were leaving the party right then. "Oh no!" thought Carl. "We have to get home first! Come on Madeline!"

Not being able to hold on to Carl with a giant stuffed elephant in her hands, Madeline hooked the elephant on to the tail of a guy dressed like an elephant, then zipped away on Carl. Obviously the guy has a liking for elephants if he dresses like one. "What's that thing hanging on your tail?" asked the lady he was with.

"Look they're ahead of us! Hold on tight!" woofed Carl. He got ready to run and Madeline wrapped her short arms around his furry neck. "I'm ready!" squealed Madeline

Carl and Madeline streaked past their parents, who were looking at a flower shop window. Madeline was laughing. The wind was whizzing. It was fantastic.

Pretty soon they were home. Madeline was in her crib and pulling the blanket over her head. Carl was lying down, catching his breath. Then, the parents came home.

Mrs.Motmot came in the baby's room. She looked at Carl and said, " Hope everything went all right, Carl. You're such a good dog."