Why did the dragon cross the river?

[Varthikes]

A variation on the "Why did the chicken cross the road?" joke.

In the book I'm working on, there's a scene where a rogue character asks this to a dragon, then he puts the question to a group of children entering the scene.

The joke is supposed to fall flat with both audiences.

But, I need ideas for the un-funny answer.

[IanKennedy]

Traditionally the un-funny answer is "to get to the other side".

The dragons answer could be "to eat the people that didn't laugh at the joke".

[Graham Kennedy]

Because all the chickens were over there and he wanted to eat some!

Do your dragons collect gold? Another one could be "Because he wanted to put some gold in the bank."

[Teaos]

So the water runs the right way?

[Jim]

Q: Why did the dragon cross the river?

A: In fire!

[Angharrad]

To avoid the ogre.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

To kidnap the princess.

[Jim]

It was tired of the Dwarfs bad acting?

[IanKennedy]

"When it's a jar"

[Tsukiyumi]

"To scale the other side."

[Tyyr]

"Because the place it needed to go was on the other side. And it's a river and he's a dragon so he could just fly over it. Not like it was a big deal."

[Varthikes]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.

I went ahead and wrote the sequence around the Human's answer. Wasn't sure if I should post this here or in the Writer's Forum, but since the thread's here, I'll just post it here.

Here is the bones of it.

Ruthrem: "You said you were going to demonstrate a Human joke."
Dylan: "That's what I'm doin'!"
Ruthrem: "How is the reason for a dragon crossing a river amusing?"
Dylan: "Do ya give up?"
Ruthrem: "Perhaps it is simply that I understand not Human amusement. Demonstrate the joke with the younglings."
Amity: "What joke?"
Dylan: "Alright." (Turns to the children.) "Why did the dragon cross the river?"
Amity: "To get to the other side, of course. Why else would someone cross a river?"
[Dylan's answer.]
(Children are confused.)
Ruthrem: "That is supposed to be amusing?"
Dylan: "It's hilarious!"
Ruthrem (sarcastically): "As I can see. I imagine, though, that the reason for the Human crossing the river would be far more amusing."
Dylan: "Oh? And why is that?"
Ruthrem: "The dragon smacked him across." (Ruthrem swings his tail at Dylan, striking him just hard enough to make him tumble.)
(Children laugh.)