The Zoo - A Day at the Zoo

Jul 17, 2026

Upload by Liam

A family’s December holiday begins with an early morning breakfast and an exciting surprise trip to the zoo. The children see monkeys at the entrance, learn what foods are allowed, and explore habitats with flamingos, ducks, gazelles, giraffes, warthogs, white rhinos, and a lion. The evening brings refreshing ice cream, a humorous encounter with a clown, colorful balloons, and a final stop where the giraffe doll is chosen and bought.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time22 min

The Surprise Trip

Animals at the Zoo

Clown, Ice Cream, and Gifts

The Zoo Written by Wanjiku Rose Murugi Illustrated by Melany Pietersen English Story Book The Zoo Written by Wanjiku Rose Murugi Illustrated by Melany Pietersen English Copyright © 2015, Wanjiku Rose Murugi [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) You are free to make commercial use of this work. You may adapt and add to this work. You must keep the copyright and credits for authors, illustrators, etc. THE ZOO Written by Wanjiku Rose Murugi Illustrated by Melany Pietersen [https://www.africanstorybook.org](https://www.africanstorybook.org) It was during December holidays. We woke up earlier than usual. Father and mother had promised to take us on a trip. They did not tell us where because they said it would be a surprise. The smell of bacon and eggs wafted in the air leaving me sniffing like a hungry wild dog. Mother was a habitual early riser and had already prepared breakfast by the time we got ready. It was delicious. "The zoo! It's the zoo!" I exclaimed with surprise. Nelly, my little sister, jumped up and down with excitement. Mother just smiled. We saw small monkeys playing on the iron bars at the entrance to the zoo. Nelly squealed with delight. Father went into a small office and we followed him. He produced his national identity card and paid our entrance fees. A guard appeared and instructed us not to feed the animals as it would interfere with their usual diet. He however said we could feed ostriches with spinach and kale and monkeys with bananas. Inside, mother held Nelly's hand while father held mine. We saw pink flamingos in a pond. I asked mother why they were so many and why they were in the water. She said it was because they were looking for insects, worms and fish to eat. The surroundings were beautiful. There were also wild ducks swimming in the pond with their chicks. We also saw the Thompson gazelle, giraffes, warthogs, white rhinos and a lion. In the evening, I was feeling very thirsty and mother bought me chocolate flavoured ice cream. Nelly preferred the vanilla flavoured one. The ice cream vendor had a protruding potbelly which danced everytime he laughed. We left him talking to mother and father about the weather as we went to admire the different coloured candies at the next stall. I saw a clown and started laughing. I find them hilarious. Nelly immediately let out a blood curdling scream and hid. She is terrified of clowns. The many coloured balloons floating in the wind on his left hand attracted my attention. I especially loved the red one and mother bought it for me. Nelly relaxed and came out from hiding. The clown danced and made fun and Nelly let out a small soft giggle revealing her deep dimples on either side of her cheeks. "The giraffe! Father, I want the giraffe!" We turned towards the direction that Nelly was pointing and sawa variety of dolls. I must admit my sister had taste because the giraffe was the most beautiful doll on display. Father asked the price and was told it was a hundred shillings. He purchased the light green one with brown spots. Nelly smiled with glee as she was handed the doll. She continued licking her vanilla flavoured ice cream.

FAQs

Why does the family visit the zoo?

They go during the December holidays because the parents promised a surprise trip.

What does the family learn about feeding animals?

They are told not to feed the animals because it interferes with their usual diet, but they can feed specific animals like ostriches with vegetables and monkeys with bananas.

How does the day end for the narrator and Nelly?

They enjoy ice cream, react to a clown and balloons, and then buy Nelly a giraffe doll before finishing their outing.

Jul 17, 2026

Upload by Liam