Can I Pet an Elephant, ...

Can I Pet an Elephant, a Tiger or a Lion when I Go to the Zoo?


“Mike would you like to take a trip to the zoo today?” asked Mike’s Mom.

“Yes, I want to pet the animals. Can I pet an elephant, a tiger or a lion?”

“I think we will just have to go and see if you can do that.”




We got to the zoo and saw—surprise! All of the animals were very big. What could I pet?.

The elephant was much taller than me; he had a big trunk that swayed back and forth. With each swing of its trunk, that elephant

seemed to be say. “No, you can’t pet me.”




I walked along and met a tiger, but I stopped in my tracks—its teeth were long and very

scary! I shook my head: no, no, no, that tiger was not for me to pet.




Just then, I heard a loud noise that set my heart thumping. There was a lion with an enormous

head and paws to match. I backed away slowly---that cat was no kitten.




I spied a giraffe eating leaves from a tree, could I reach it to pet. Nope, way too tall.




How about the monkeys- could I pet them? The monkeys were swinging from branch

to branch, while my feet were flat on the ground. Nope, no swinging in trees for me.






What a wonder to see birds of all colors under a net. There were birds small enough

but, they took one look at me and flew right up to the top of the tree.




I could not pet an alligator that was lying in the water; he looked very unfriendly. I

saw zebras and camels, flamingo and peacocks, a llama and a gnu. None was for petting,

that I just knew.


All the animals I saw were too big, too tall or too fast, but I still wanted to do what I had come

to do. I was glum and sat down on the grass. I looked all around me and there in a field

stood a big red barn. What was a barn doing in a zoo? I ran over to see.

I dashed through the door and my eyes opened wide; the animals in there were

more my size.


I scampered about and petted a lamb and a pot-bellied pig. I chased after ducks and geese and

gave each a quick squeeze. There were goats, rabbits, and little chicks too; all were

able to run faster than me, but I still caught up with a few.



It was fun petting the animals in the barn, but then I felt tired and ready to leave.



“Mike,” asked Mom. “Did you learn something today?”

“Yes, I learned that animals come in all shapes and sizes; and that I cannot pet an elephant, a

tiger or a lion.”