Writing Prompt Challenge #2: After the Gates Close
The second writing prompt given to me by my fans is from Lesley:
What zoo animals think of humans and what they say to each other when all the visitors have gone home.
I immediately thought that it had to be a kids story, maybe something that gets illustrated someday.
Here you go!
After the Gates Close
The zoo is quiet; it has closed for the day.
But not for too long--the animals have something to say.
"Have they left?" asked the zebra, shaking her mane.
"I think so, indeed," called the lovely blue crane.
"Did you notice the one who ignored all the rules?"
Chirped the small little birds on the backs of the mules.
"Oh yes," said the hippo, her voice deep and loud.
"He hung on the fences and pushed through the crowd!"
"We don't see what's wrong with hanging about,"
said the monkeys together with a terrible shout.
"Mischief is fine for the monkeys and apes,
But a human boy child is supposed to behave."
(The hippo disliked it when people were rude,
running around or spitting their food.)
"I like the ones who drop their French fries,
And watch us with phones instead of their eyes."
This came from a seagull, who didn't live in the zoo.
She just liked to visit when passing through.
"I like the tiny ones, in pink and in blue.
they point with wide eyes--for them it's all new."
"You're a capybara," said El. "You're friendly to all.
Of course you like babies who can't even crawl."
Everyone stopped to listen to the old elephant,
When complaining he was in his element.
"I like the old ones, who walk nice a slow,
Who read all the signs and tell us 'Hello."
The whole zoo erupted with howls not of glee.
Which humans were best? They could never agree.
Were the best ones the ones who took hundreds of pics?
Or the toddlers who laughed at monkey's weird tricks?
The ones who stayed for moments? The ones who stayed all day?
The ones who dressed in rainbows or the ones who dressed in gray?
"My favorite human is one we know well."
Said the owl from on high; a silence befell.
"The zookeeper cares for us and brings us our food.
He makes sure we're well and lightens our mood."
"You're right," said the hippo. "He's a wonderful guy."
"We agree," said the monkeys, with a unified cry.
"Hear, hear!" called the zebra. "I agree! I agree!"
"Me too!" said the bear in a voice full of glee.
Silence descended across the the whole zoo,
There wasn't a snuffle or howl or a moo.
Tomorrow would bring more humans to stare,
At the zebra and elephant and fuzzy black bear.
But for now they would sleep, warm and content,
Pleased with another day perfectly spent.
