A Frantic Race

Horton Hears a Who! is not a leisurely meander through the jungle, or a nice calming bath—like what Horton thinks he's in for when the story's just opening. Nope. There's little time to calm down or take it easy in this one, as the whole story is Horton's race to protect his dear friends, who are in dire need of protection.

For example, just when Horton is getting comfortable and getting to know the Whos on the speck of dust, the Wickersham Brothers appear to ruin everything:

They snatched Horton's clover! They carried it off… (79)

And just like that, poor Horton's off galloping into the sunset again, trying to help out his friends.