Zoo Story (Part 1) - Kelti & The Giraffe

This is part 1 of a story I wrote about a zoo visit Kelti took with her grandma. Enjoy the animals she sees and discover how she helps a giraffe called Gerry. Don't forget to share your thoughts with me, and reply to the question I ask at the end of the story. Thank you to everyone for your support and kind messages.

Transcript

Hello,

My name is Jacqueline and I'd like to read you a story that I wrote about a little girl called Kelty who goes to the zoo one day.

The story is called Kelty and the Giraffe.

Kelty had just woken up from a good night's sleep when suddenly she remembered.

I am so excited about today,

She said out loud as she got out of bed.

She went over to the window and pulled back her curtains.

The sun was shining in a beautiful blue sky,

Perfect for a day out.

Kelty quickly dressed and ran downstairs.

Today she was going to the zoo with her grandma.

This was a special treat because Kelty had done so well in school.

Kelty went into the kitchen and said good morning to her parents and brother Louis,

Who was sitting at the table eating breakfast.

She made herself a bowl of cereal and said to no one in particular,

I'm so excited about going to the zoo with grandma today.

What time is she coming to get me mum?

She'll be here in half an hour,

So you have enough time before she arrives to get Duggee out for a quick walk,

Her mum replied.

Kelty ate her breakfast and then took her little dog out for a stroll around the edge of the forest before she got ready for her day out.

Just as she was putting on her shoes,

Kelty heard the toot of a car horn.

Oh,

Grandma's here,

She shouted.

OK,

Sweetheart,

Her mum said,

Come in to kiss her daughter goodbye.

Have a wonderful day.

I will mum,

Kelty said as she opened the front door.

See you later.

And she ran outside and got into her grandma's car.

Hello,

Grandma,

Kelty said,

Leaning over and giving her a big hug.

Hello,

Darling,

Said grandma,

Enjoying the warm embrace.

Are you ready to go to the zoo?

Yes,

I am,

Kelty declared as she fastened her seat belt.

Well,

Let's not waste another moment talking about it.

Let's go.

And grandma started the car and drove off.

When they arrived at the zoo,

Grandma paid the entrance fee for them.

This was a very large zoo and each visitor was given a map to help them find their way around.

Kelty had already decided which animals she particularly wanted to see.

She wasted no time unfolding the map to mark out the best route to take.

Let's go in this direction,

Grandma,

She said,

Pointing the way.

We'll go and see the monkeys first before the dolphin show begins.

Is that OK?

This is your day,

Kelty,

So I'll just follow you,

Answered grandma,

Pleased that her granddaughter was looking so happy.

Don't forget,

I'm a lot older than you,

So I may have to rest once in a while.

Don't worry,

Grandma,

Said Kelty,

Taking her hand.

I'll look after you.

They walked hand in hand to the monkey enclosure.

The monkeys seemed very full of energy this morning.

The little ones were running around,

Playing chase with each other,

While some of the older monkeys were grooming themselves or eating from a dish of chopped fruit and vegetables.

Quite a few people were watching the monkeys play.

Kelty and her grandma stood next to a family whose little girls seemed to be enjoying the monkeys much more than her brother.

The mum was trying to get the little boy interested in what was going on,

But he wasn't amused by anything the monkeys were doing and soon started to cry.

The dad,

Who was wearing a baseball cap,

Lifted him up and held him in his arms so his son could get a better view.

That still didn't seem to please the boy,

And he grabbed his dad's cap and threw it into the monkey enclosure.

Oh,

No!

Exclaimed Kelty,

Just as a monkey ran up to the cap and grabbed it with his hands.

He seemed to know what it was and put it on his head,

Which made the watching crowd laugh.

Then the monkey ran around the enclosure screaming and chattering as some of the other monkeys chased him.

It was a funny sight to see and a great show for the people.

Even the man who owned the hat joined in the laughter.

Kelty and her grandma watched the monkeys play for a while until it was time to go and take a seat,

Ready for the dolphin show.

They arrived at the pool where two dolphins were swimming around and sat in the middle area of the tiered wooden seats.

Here they were a little higher than the pool itself and had a great view.

Lots of people were already seated and many more were coming in.

Eventually it was time for the show to begin.

Behind the pool was a paved area and a door was set into the wall behind that.

Without warning a whistle sounded and the door opened.

Two young girls came out,

One carrying a bucket filled with small fish and the other carrying a microphone.

The girl with the bucket knelt down at the water's edge and blew her whistle.

The dolphins swam in a circle slightly below water and then popped out of the pool and glided onto the paved area.

The girl threw them each a fish.

Welcome everybody,

Said the other girl into the microphone.

I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful day at the zoo.

Yes,

Shouted the audience together.

My name is Kate and that is Julia sitting with our two dolphins Ringo and Paul.

Julia waved at the crowd and the dolphins made high-pitched squeaky sounds as they slipped back into the water.

With a command from Julia's whistle the dolphins swam around the pool and then jumped high in the air landing back in the water with hardly a splash.

Everybody clapped and cheered.

The show had begun and continued to be just as spectacular.

Kelty watched in amazement as the dolphins leapt through hoops,

Jumped over each other and even swam backwards as they waved to the crowd with their tiny flippers.

And finally,

Announced Kate,

Julia will ask Ringo and Paul to perform their last trick of the show which they have been practicing for weeks.

Julia stood up in front of the dolphins with her arms in the air and blew her whistle three times.

The dolphins swam around the pool at high speed and then pulled themselves out of the water just far enough to balance on their big strong tails.

Julia started waving her hands in a flicking motion in front of her.

Immediately the dolphins began flicking their tails so fast on the water that the splashes they created covered the front three rows of the audience.

It was so funny and the whole crowd laughed.

Luckily Kelty and her grandma were sitting up on the fifth row and so missed being soaked.

All too soon the show was over and it was time to move on to another part of the zoo.

Which animals would you like to see next grandma?

Asked Kelty.

How about the giraffes?

Suggested grandma.

Kelty looked at the map and said,

They are not far from here.

We can walk through the large cat area on the way.

They set off enjoying each other's company as well as the beautiful day.

Look at that big lion grandma Kelty said as a huge male lion with a large fluffy mane strolled around his enclosure.

He looks quite fierce exclaimed grandma.

I'm glad we have the barrier between us.

Kelty and her grandma watched the lion circle the compound.

He seemed to glare at them as he walked past or maybe he was just letting them know that he was a mighty beast.

The lion moved to a large boulder situated in the middle of the compound and jumped upon it.

He sat down and sniffed the air around him for a moment before rolling over onto his back.

He stretched his giant paws in the air and fell asleep in the sunshine.

Oh he looks like a kitten said Kelty.

With the size of his paws I wouldn't want to play with him replied grandma.

He must be having a good dream remarked Kelty.

Look at his big tongue flopped out of the side of his mouth.

He does look extremely cute and peaceful grandma admitted.

Come on Kelty I'm beginning to get really warm standing here in the sun.

It looks like there is some shade under the trees over there at the giraffe area.

Maybe we could sit down for a while to rest my weary old bones.

Okay grandma Kelty said.

Noticing an ice cream kiosk nearby she asked can we have an ice cream to help cool us down please.

A lovely idea sweetheart what would you like?

Kelty replied without hesitating can I have an ice cream cone with a chocolate flake in it please.

Yes of course you can that's my favorite too.

Grandma ordered the two ice cream cones and handed one to Kelty with some napkins.

Let's go and sit on the grass over there by the giraffes and enjoy these before they melt.

Sitting on the grass licking the cool ice cream Kelty watched the giraffes who were pulling leaves from the trees and wondered what it would be like to have such a long neck.

Grandma finished her ice cream first and laid back resting her head on her handbag.

I'm just going to close my eyes for a second all this excitement today has made me feel quite sleepy.

Kelty ate the last of her ice cream and licked her fingers clean.

She wanted to look at the giraffes close up on the raised viewing platform but she couldn't go without grandma.

Instead she decided to lay back on the grass herself and enjoy the warm sunshine.

The sun felt good.

Very soon Kelty had closed her eyes and fallen asleep.

Oh what is that?

Kelty opened her eyes and sat up wondering what was wet and sticky on her cheek.

As she looked up she came nose to nose with a giraffe.

He had stretched his neck over the fence to reach Kelty and then licked her face with his very long tongue.

She didn't know that a giraffe's tongue was nearly 20 inches long.

Oh you scared me said Kelty moving herself back from the giraffe's face.

Sorry about that said the giraffe.

I was trying to wake you not scare you.

My name's Jerry and I need your help.

Kelty stood up as she told Jerry her name and then asked him what do you need help with?

I can't quite reach the leaves at the top of this tree here Jerry said as he glanced at the tree next to him.

Although my tongue stretches a long way it is not quite long enough.

Well why do you need to reach the leaves at the top of the tree when there are plenty of other leaves lower down to eat?

Asked Kelty slightly puzzled.

Because the leaves at the top look so delicious and have been warmed in the sun.

Have you never eaten leaves which have been warmed by the sun?

The giraffe bent his neck and looked straight into Kelty's eyes.

I don't eat leaves from trees she answered.

Well you should try them sometime.

They are scrumptious said Jerry as he licked his lips.

Thinking that she probably would give that idea a miss she said.

I don't know how I can help you with this problem as I can't climb trees.

I have thought about that said Jerry.

If you climb onto my neck and pull yourself up to my head then you will be able to reach the leaves at the top of the tree.

Okay said Kelty feeling a little nervous with this idea but also a little excited about sitting on a giraffe's back.

Go over to the steps near the fence over there and I'll get close enough for you to climb onto me said Jerry.

Kelty walked to the viewing platform.

There was a chain across the bottom of the steps with a sign on it which read access to the giraffe viewing platform closed.

Kelty looked around but no one was about so she climbed over the chain and went up the steps to meet the giraffe.

Jerry came as close to the fence as he could.

Kelty grabbed the mane on his long neck and pulled herself over the fence and onto his back.

Now rub your arms and legs around me and pull yourself up my neck instructed Jerry.

Kelty tried to do this.

After a few failed attempts she started to move herself up the giraffe's long long neck until eventually she was up by his head.

You're strangling me Jerry whimpered.

I'm sorry apologize Kelty but I'm so far from the ground that I feel a little scared I may fall off.

Grab hold of my ears instead of my neck Jerry spluttered.

Kelty loosened her grip on Jerry's neck and took hold of his ears.

Phew that's much better said Jerry as he took a deep breath of fresh air.

Okay I'm going to walk over to the tree so hold on tight and he took a few large strides.

The view up here is wonderful said Kelty as she looked around her.

Yes it is agreed Jerry I can see nearly all the other animals in the zoo.

I don't know why everyone doesn't grow a long neck like me.

Now do you see those beautiful leaves at the top of this tree?

Yes answered Kelty looking up at them not really noticing any difference from the leaves lower down.

They are the ones I want to eat said Jerry.

Reach up with your arm and pull the branch down to me so I can get them.

Kelty reached up very carefully and pulled the branch down in front of Jerry.

Perfect he whispered and started munching on the lush leaves.

Mmmmm he said between mouthfuls.

Soon Jerry had eaten all the leaves and then took Kelty back to the viewing platform so she could climb off his back.

That was fun thank you said Kelty when her feet were back on the ground.

Thank you for helping me Jerry said as he lowered his head as if bowing to her.

Kelty walked over to the grass where her grandma was still asleep.

She laid back down closing her eyes as she reflected over her adventure.

Kelty wake up grandma said as she shook Kelty's shoulder.

We've been asleep for ages it's time we continued with our zoo visit before lunch time.

Kelty opened her eyes and thought about what had just happened with Jerry the giraffe.

Did it really happen or had it been a dream after all?

Looking over at Jerry in the enclosure she saw him peering at her as he chewed the leaves from the nearby tree.

Maybe it was just a dream after all Kelty thought to herself.

Then she saw Jerry wink at her and she smiled back at him.

Whatever it had been she had enjoyed it.

Come on Kelty she heard her grandma say.

The giraffe enclosure is closed now so let's go and see the elephants instead.

Kelty waved to Jerry and followed her grandma feeling very happy.

What an adventurous day this was turning out to be and it wasn't over yet.

I hope you enjoyed this story.

I'd like to ask you a question.

What is your favourite animal at the zoo?

Reviews

love it! and my favorite animal well … I don’t know

I love it and to answer your question my favorite animal at the zoo are the lions

Iᴛ ᴡᴀs ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙯𝙤𝙤 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 ᗷᒪᗩᑕK ᑎᗪ ᗯᕼITᗴ ᑭᗩᑎᗪᗩ ᗩᒪᔕO Tᕼᗴ ᖇᗴᗪ ᑭᗩᑎᗪᗩ! 🐼💯
I♥ l♥o♥v♥e♥ p♥a♥n♥d♥a♥s♥ 💜💕💕💗❤️‍🔥💋

F o x e s 🦊
👘
👠👠 can u make Kelti and the fox 🦊??

That question at the end well… I don’t really know!! Loved it 😊

Flo flo and Willa
(Willa is a BOY toy wolf ok cause all the other teachers that I listen to call him a girl ok 👌)

My daughters fave is the red panda! She says to let you know!

I love pandas 🐼 beacuse it has a cute baby panda and I feel sad for them because there place is being burned away so I want to help them and save all lives of them and I will help nanowire mater what 🫡

Amazing. Can you please make a story about my little cat Mittens🐱 ❤️♥️❤️🐱

Thanks for asking my favorite animal is a penguin! Amazing story.

For the question my favourite is a tiger and my and my sisters is elephants and turtles

Can you make Kelti and the wolves 🐺 please

Wonderful Jacqueline! Thank you. I am a little girl at heart!!
🙂🦋💜🙏🙋‍♀️

I love it!

It was really nice, I fell asleep right after.

It was a great story

my favorite animal at the zoo is a lion 🍪🦁thank you

👱🏻‍♀️
👗🧸
🧦

My favorite animal to see in the zoo is the puffins 🐧🐦🦆

I am rebecca and my sister nameischarlotte

thank you for the great time and I love it 🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍫🍫🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥈🥈🥈🥈🥈🥉🥉🥉🥉🥉❤

lovely my favourite animal at the zoo it the pandas thx for making this meditation 🙏😁😀😇

I love giraffes :) also I love the story. Fun fact: there the tallest animals in the world ;)

Amazing

Story

Please

Make

More

I

Injoy

Listening

To

Your

Stories

Thank you (sorry this message was very long)