Gerald the elephant takes the rules of sports very seriously. When Piggie discovers a ball and wants to play, Gerald insists on teaching her the proper, complicated technique for throwing. He believes that throwing a ball requires deep concentration, correct posture, and a lot of hard work. Piggie, on the other hand, just wants to toss the ball and have a good time. She is not interested in following a strict set of rules. When Piggie finally winds up and gives it a try, the result is less than perfect, but she is absolutely thrilled anyway. Gerald is left completely baffled by her immense joy over a terrible throw. This laugh out loud early reader perfectly highlights the difference between focusing on perfection and simply enjoying the moment. It is a wonderful and funny reminder that the true purpose of playing a game is just to have fun with your friends.