The Eager Elephant Read Online Free PDF

poorly?”
    â€œThat was my idea,” Meep told her proudly. “When Goo and Kiki came to visit you, I asked Kiki to fly around the zoo, telling all the animals you weren’t very well. We’ve thought of lots of ways to help you feel better!”
    Harold wagged his tail eagerly. The funny hyena explained that laughter was the best medicine, so Zoe should try listening to one of his jokes. “OK then!” said Zoe, grinning.
    Harold barked his joke and waited hopefully. “Hmm, I don’t know that one!” said Zoe, thinking. “What kind of fish only swims at night?”
    Harold barked the answer – and started screeching with laughter! Zoe giggled too.“A starfish! That’s funny. Thanks, Harold. I do feel better!” she told him.

    As Zoe and Meep carried on walking through the zoo, all her animal friends wanted to ask how she was feeling. Lots more tried to give her helpful tips too. The sloths, Peggy and Pepper, sleepily advisedher to get plenty of rest, before closing their eyes and starting to snore noisily. And the baby hippo, Hetty, suggested she sit down in some squishy mud, because doing that always made her feel better!

    Zoe grinned and pulled Meep into her arms for a cuddle. “I’m not sure I like the idea of a mud bath,” she whispered, giggling. “But having all my animal friends around is making me feel lots better.”
    Zoe stroked Meep’s soft fur and gave him a kiss on the top of his furry head. “Now I
really
can’t wait to take Bertie round the zoo and let him meet everyone properly!”

Chapter Eight
The Elephant Stroll
    As Zoe got close to the elephant enclosure she spotted David inside, putting fresh straw in Oscar and Bertie’s cosy shelter.
    “Hi, Zoe!” he called, smiling. “How are you feeling?”
    “Better! I would have hated to miss Bertie’s first walk,” Zoe explained.
    David nodded. “I thought we could takethem to the water-lily lake. Bertie can paddle in the shallow water, and maybe we could convince Oscar to try it too!”
    “Bertie’s going to be so excited to go for a walk round the zoo!” Zoe whispered to Meep. “And I think he’ll love the lake.”
    “But, Zoe, do you really think Oscar will want to have a paddle?” Meep asked, frowning.
    Zoe shook her head. “No, I don’t! But there are lots of nice trees around the lake, and mud for him to cool down in, so I’m sure he’ll have fun anyway.”
    Zoe went with David to get some treats for the elephants, to help keep them from wandering off on their walk. Zoe knew she could tell Bertie which way to go – but she was sure he’d like some treats too! Meep scampered ahead eagerly, andwhen they arrived back at the enclosure, the tiny lemur had already told the elephants to get ready for their walk. Oscar looked very pleased, and Bertie was so excited he was racing around in circles!

    David walked ahead of them to clear the path through the zoo, and Zoe strolled between Oscar and Bertie. For every five steps she took, Oscar took just one slow, giant step. Zoe could feel the path shake beneath her feet as the huge creature plodded along next to her. Bertie kept rushing to look inside each new enclosure they passed.
    Lots of the other zoo creatures grunted, squeaked or roared hello as the group walked past. Oscar and Bertie raised their trunks to say hello back. After a few minutes, Bertie turned to Oscar and Zoe and gave a puzzled squeal.
    Zoe giggled. “You haven’t seen any animals with trunks like yours, Bertie, because there aren’t any! Only elephants have them.”

    Bertie shook his head in disbelief, but Oscar nodded gently, agreeing with Zoe. The little elephant trumpeted again curiously.
    “Well, I use my hands to pick things up, and Meep uses his little paws,” Zoe explained. “Some animals have strong jaws and teeth to carry things, like the lions and tigers. The pelicans use their clever bills to scoop up fish. And