The New Zoo Animal

“Hey Jake!” called Midge as she and Booker-T entered the yard and found Jake sleeping on the front porch swing. “Wake up Jake!”

“Hi Midge and Booker-T,” said Jake. “What are you two doing?”

“We came to see you,” said Booker-T. “What are we going to do today.”

“Lets go to the skateboard park,” said Midge. “I want to try the skateboard again.”

“Its too dangerous Midge,” said Jake. “Last time, you fell on your back.”

“But I was okay,” said Midge. “I want to do it again.”

“I think we need to find something safer to do,” said Booker-T.

“But that's no fun,” said Midge.

“You don't want to break a leg or maybe two of them,” said Jake.

“Maybe not,” said Midge. “I can try to fly again.”

“I thought you finally gave up that idea,” laughed Booker-T. “You can't fly. We aren't made for flying. Only way you can fly is in an airplane.”

“I need a lot of feathers,” said Midge.

“Do the feathers help make you fly?” asked Booker-T.

“You tried feathers before that Gabby gave you,” said Jake.

“I think maybe I just didn't use enough feathers,” said Midge.

“You are too heavy to fly,” said Booker-T.

“I don't weigh as much as an airplane and they fly,” said Midge.

“They are made to fly,” said Jake. “You aren't made for flying.”

“Lets go to the carnival again,” said Midge. “I want to ride the little roller coaster.”

“Hi you guys,” said Gabby as he swooped down and landed on the front porch railing. “What are you all taking about?”

“Midge wants to go ride the little roller coaster at the carnival,” said Jake.

“Can't rid the roller coaster,” said Gabby.

“Sure I can,” said Midge. “I can jump into the car when they start moving.”

“They are packing up the carnival to leave town now,” said Gabby.

“I thought it was going to be here all the time now,” said Midge.

“No,” said Gabby. “It was only here for a short time when they opened that little Tombstone town for the tourists.”

“Oh,” sighed Midge. What can we do today? I want to do something fun. Wouldn't it be nice to be a human? They have so much that they can do.”

“But humans have to work,” said Jake. “Do you want to go to work every day?”

“No,” said Midge. “I like to have fun.”

“Me too,” said Booker-T.

“There are some dogs who have to work,” said Jake.

“How to they pay dogs for their work?” asked Midge.

“I think they don't get paid,” said Jake.

“That isn't fair,” said Midge. “Why don't they get paid?”

“What would you pay a dog?” asked Jake. “They can't spend it.”

“I guess you are right,” said Midge. “Maybe their pay is a nice home to live in.”

“We have a nice home to live in and we don't have to work for it,” said Booker-T.

“Why don't you guys go visit the zoo again,” suggested Gabby. “I was there yesterday and they brought in a big moose.”

“Why?” asked Midge.

“Maybe a zoo wanted a nice moose,” said Gabby.

'The zoo wants a big chocolate dessert?” asked Midge. “My owner likes mousse.”

“A zoo moose is not chocolate,” laughed Gabby. “It's an animal.”

“Wow,” said Booker-T. “They have a moose that is an animal and a moose that is a chocolate dessert?”

“I don't know anything about chocolate dessert,” said Gabby. “A moose is a big animal and has antlers a little like a deer.”

“I've never seen a moose before,” said Jake. “Lets go see it.”

“Okay,” agreed Midge. “I never saw a moose either.”

The three hurried through the gate and along the sidewalk while Gabby flew above them. They got to the front entrance to the zoo facility and stood looking around the room. In the back corner stood a large animal with big antlers on its head.

“Over there Jake,” said Midge. “Lets go see the moose.”

They walked over to the corner cage and stood looking at the big animal in the cage.

“What are you looking at?” asked the moose lowering its head as he looked at the three standing in front of the cage.

“Hi big moose,” said Midge. “We came to see you.”

“Why?” asked the moose.

“We never saw a moose before,” said Jake. “You are really big.”

“And you are really small,” said the moose. “Why are you out there and I am in here?”

“I think you are a wild animal,” said Booker-T. “We aren't wild animals.”

“I'm not wild,” said the moose. “I'm a quiet moose.”

“Do you live in a house?” asked Jake.

“A house?” asked the moose. “What is a house?”

“We live in a house with humans,” said Midge. “Where do you live?”

“I live in the forest with lot of trees and lakes and other animals,” said the moose. “Why am I in this cage?”

“They are taking you to a big zoo to live with some other animals like you are,” said Jake.

“Why do you live with humans?” asked the moose.

“We are called pets,” said Jake. “Humans take care of pets and we live in a house with the humans.”

“Can you open the cage and let me go back to the forest?” asked the moose.

“The humans have the gates locked and we can't open them,” said Jake. “You will like it at the big zoo and you will have friends there.”

“How do you know I will like it?” asked the moose. “Maybe I won't like it.”

“I don't know,” said Booker-T.

“Do you have a name?” asked Midge. “I'm Midge and these are my friends, Jake and Booker-T.”

“My name is Carter,” said the moose.

“Hi Carter,” greeted Jake. “We hope you will enjoy your new home.”

“I think you will be at the new home tomorrow,” said Midge.

“Are you coming with me?” asked Carter.

“No,” said Booker-T. “Our homes are here so we have to stay here.”

“You will have some new friends at the new zoo,” said Jake. “I think you will like it.”

“I hope so,” sighed Carter.

“We have to go now,” said Midge. “Take care and enjoy your new home.”

“Bye guys,” said Carter.

The three said good-bye before leaving the building and started their walk back home to Jake's house.