Ella hopped through the zoo's grand entrance, her eyes wide with excitement. The chilly morning air was filled with the far-off sounds of animals calling out to say good morning and promising a day full of adventure. She clutched her zoo map tightly in one hand and her mother's hand in the other. She pulled on her mom to explore every corner of the zoo. Other families with children bustled around her, each pulling in different directions to see the wild animals.
The lions delighted Ella because their kingly presence was awesome and made her feel very small. "Look at how glorious they are," she whispered to a nearby visitor. The lions ignored Ella and the other people, their eyes half-closed as they bathed in the sunshine that was quickly warming the day. Ella dreamed of petting them, but she knew they were wild and would probably not want to be petted by a human. That's why they had fences and big ditches to keep the lions and the people safe.
After tugging her mom to the monkey house, Ellalaughed as the monkeys bounced around their enclosure. They skittered over each other and swung from branch to branch, playfully screeching at the top of their lungs. "They're having so much fun," Ella laughed right along with the other visitors. Their energy was a thrilling sight. Everyone, including Ella and her mom, had huge smiles on their faces when they walked out of the monkey house to see what adventure was next.
After the chaos of the monkey house, Mom and Ella took a moment to enjoy the peaceful quiet by the tropical pond. There, under the palm trees and in the reeds, the flamingos moved elegantly, their pink feathers so different and beautiful against the green trees and plants. "It's so relaxing here," Ella thought, "I could take a little nap if mom would let me." About that time, there was a roar and a big splash of water nearby. Next to the flamingo pond, a tall fenced-off area with swirling water caught everyone's attention. Alligators! They flipped in the water and ran up on the shore, showing their giant mouths and even bigger teeth. "Thank goodness there is a strong fence," exclaimed Ella as she backed away.
The reptile house was nearby, so they ventured in—the exotic creatures within piqued Ella's curiosity. Snakes of various sizes, designs, and colors coiled lazily on branches and beneath rocks, their scales glistening under the soft lights. "They're so mysterious," she whispered, leaning close to her mom. Their silent grace held Ella under a spell.
There were more and more animals to see, like rabbits, foxes, turtles, and great big rhinoceroses. Ella and Mom walked around the entire zoo. They didn't miss a single animal. As the day drew to a close, the sun hanging low in the sky, Ella and Mom made their way toward the exit. Her heart was brimming with joy over the day's adventures. Ella thought, "I'll definitely come back," happy and tired after her wonderful day. The zoo had given her a glimpse into the world of wild animals, a day she would never forget.
