Are We Going to the Zoo

“Hey Jake,” said Booker-T. “Here comes the train driver I think.”

“That's the engineer,” said Jake.

“Don't the engineer drive the train?” asked Midge.

“Yes,” said Jake.

“After he opens the door,” said Midge. “We can try to run to the back of the car and crawl under the seat.”

“Are you sure you want to go across town to the other zoo?” asked Jake. “Remember we might end up in the animal shelter and our owners will not be happy with us.”

“That would be bad,” said Midge. “Our owners would really be upset if they didn't know where we are.”

“Maybe we shouldn't go across to the other side of town,” said Booker-T. “I really would like to see the big zoo, but it would be bad if we got put into animal jail. I saw pictures and it looks like a jail for animals.”

“What do you want to do Midge?” asked Jake. “We can try if you really want to go.”

“Oh Jake,” said Midge. “Maybe we should stay here and just visit the animals when they come into the little zoo holding place.”

“It's a hard to decide,” said Booker-T. “We can run fast and they won't catch us.”

“Hurry Midge,” said Jake. “What do you want to do? We can try if you want to take the chance.”

“I really want to go see the big zoo,” smiled Midge. “Booker-T is right. We can run fast and they can't catch us.”

“I think there are too many people over there at the train right now,” said Jake. “Maybe we should come back in the morning early and try to get on the train before the people are there.”

“That's a good idea,” said Booker-T. “Remember that little boy who saw us under the seats the last time we tried to rid the train?”

“I remember,” said Midge. “The train man threw us off the train.”

“That will happen again if we don't get on and hide without anyone seeing us,” said Jake. “Lets just visit the other animals in this little zoo and try again in the morning.”

“Okay Jake,” sighed Midge.

“We will go,” said Booker-T. “Maybe early in the morning, there won't be as many people and we can sneak on easy.”

“There goes the train,” said Jake. “Remember to put your name tag on in the morning Midge.”

“Okay,” agreed Midge. “Lets go check out the other animals in this little holding place before we go to the house.”

“Hey guys,” said Booker-T. “Look at the back of the train. There is a little place we can lay down on and ride it to the zoo.”

“Do you think we'd be safe on that back end?”asked Midge. “We don't want to fall off.”

Jake took a look at the back of the train. On the back of the last car was a platform that was big enough for them to lay down on. “I think we could lay on there,” said Jake. “Are you sure you want to ride the train outside?”

“I don't think we'd fall off,” said Midge. “This little train don't go that fast across town. Do you want to try?”

“What do you think Booker-T?” asked Jake.

“If you want to go,” said Booker-T. “I will go with you.”

They looked around for the train man and saw him go into the second car. They hurried to the back of the train and climbed onto the back and laid down. In about fifteen minutes, the train started to slowly move forward. No one noticed them laying at the back of the train.

“I'm so excited Jake,” smiled Midge. “We are going to see the big zoo.”

“We still have to sneak into the zoo you know,” said Jake. “And then we have to get back on the back of the train and ride it back to the station here.”

“We can do it,” said Booker-T. “Midge is good at sneaking into places.”

“Ha ha,” said Midge. “I think we can do it.”

“You are always sure we can do it,” said Booker-T.

“Hey you guys!” said Gabby as he swooped down near the back of the train. “What are you guys doing riding on the back of the train?”

“We are going to the big zoo,” said Jake.

“Why?” asked Gabby.

“We want to see all the animals there,” said Midge. “We decided to ride the train.”

“Why didn't you ride the train inside?” asked Gabby.

“We couldn't sneak onto the train inside,” said Jake.

“I saw the platform back here and it was big enough for us,” said Booker-T. “The train don't go really fast like the big ones, so thought it was okay to ride out here.”

“Want to come with us Gabby?” asked Midge.

“Oh, I don't know,” said Gabby.

“Please come with us,” said Midge. “We need you.”

“Why?” asked Gabby.

“We need your help to sneak into the zoo,” said Jake. “I know Midge and that's what she is thinking.”

“Will you help us Gabby?” asked Midge.

“What do you think I can do?” asked Gabby.

“Can you fly around and make a lot of squawking noises,” said Midge. “When they are looking at you, we can run through the gate.”

“You want me to squawk,” laughed Gabby.

“Please Gabby,” pleaded Midge. “We really want to go see the animals.”

“How long do you think you can walk around the zoo before someone chases you out?” asked Gabby.

“I don't know,” said Jake. “You know Midge. She isn't going to give up trying to get in there. When she gets in the zoo and then we get chased out, she will stop trying.”

“The only way to get Midge to stop wanting to go in there, is to help her get in,” said Booker-T. “You know how she is.”

As the train pulled in front of the zoo, Gabby agreed to squawk a lot and let them try to sneak into the zoo.

They jumped off the train and walked to the entrance of the zoo and stood staring at the big statue of the elephant standing at the entrance.

“Wow,” said Midge. “He is sure big! Lets go see the elephants.

“Okay Gabby,” said Jake. “Start squawking above all those people.”

Gabby started swooping down toward the crowd of people and squawking and rapidly flapping the wings. As the people looked up at Gabby and tried to duck as he flew near, the three sneaked into the zoo and hid behind some bushes.

“We made it Jake,” said Midge. “Lets go see the animals!”

“Slow down Midge,” said Jake. “We have to be sure no guards are around to chase us out”

Midge peered out from behind the bushes and looked around the area. Booker-T laid on his belly and peeked out from the bottom of the bushes. “I think it is safe to go Jake,” said Booker-T. “I don't see anyone around.”

The three started wandering through the zoo checking out the animals looking for their little meercat friend they had met one day at the little zoo holding facility. They were amazed at all the different animals and all the people who wanted to see them.