Trouble at the Zoo Read online

  The slippery slide was already full of kids. Hoses squirted water onto the slides and kids propelled themselves down, screaming and laughing. Bindi and Rosie were waiting in line.

  “Are you having fun, birthday girl?” Rosie asked.

  “You bet,” answered Bindi. “I can’t believe everyone dressed up and looks so amazing! The photos from today will be hilarious.”

  “They’ll have to be better than that one your mum took of us this morning!”

  Rosie had spent precious minutes rearranging sequins and chiffon after Robert’s surprise entrance into the photo.

  “Oh, don’t remind me. I think I’ve got a bruise from where Robert’s elbow hit me in the leg.” Bindi rubbed her shin, remembering the incident.

  “Who knew octopuses had elbows?” Rosie quipped, and both girls laughed.

  Bindi looked around the zoo. “I haven’t seen your parents yet, Ro,” she said. “What costumes are they wearing?”

  Rosie pointed to a pair of sea turtles over by the karaoke stage. “They’re helping with the music. Considering how much my parents love to sing, the kids will be lucky if they can get anywhere near the microphone!”

  Behind the girls in the line, Rosie noticed a boy arguing with his little sister. She looked close to tears. Rosie turned to Bindi and gave her a quiet nudge. Bindi turned around and decided to help.

  “Hey there, little crab,” she said to the girl. “What’s your name?”

  Holly went from miserable to thrilled in an instant. Bindi Irwin was talking to her! Holly just beamed, too excited to speak.

  Zac looked at his sister, embarrassed. “Holly, say something,” he encouraged.

  “Ummm, uh, um, I’m a blue swimmer crab named Holly and it’s my brother’s birthday today too,” she finally blurted out.

  “Oh, really. Well, what’s your brother’s name?” Rosie smiled at Zac. She thought he was sort of cute, even though he was wearing goggles.

  Holly was getting her voice back and it was growing louder and louder by the second. “His name’s Zac, and I’m Holly—oh, I’ve said that already, haven’t I? Ummm, happy birthday, Bindi!” She started jumping up and down.

  Zac was now looking mortified. “Calm down, Hol.”

  Bindi smiled at him. “Come on, Zac, you know what little brothers and sisters are like.” She pointed at Robert, now poised at the top of the slippery slide, about to rocket himself headfirst down the slide. “Look at Robert up there. He’s totally uncontrollable!” They couldn’t help but laugh at Robert careering down, the kids on either side of him getting faces full of wayward tentacles as he flew past.

  “Well, it was nice to meet you two,” Bindi smiled at the Brown kids.

  Holly gave Bindi an impromptu hug and Zac looked away moodily, still wishing he was somewhere else.

  Rosie rolled her eyes at his behavior and she and Bindi got to the top of the slide, held hands, and whooshed down the slippery slide, giggling all the way.

  Later on, while Bindi was bringing around an eastern water dragon for people to pet, she bumped into the Brown family again.

  Bindi smiled as she recognized Holly and Zac from the slippery slide. “Hi, guys. Would you like to pat the—”

  Zac interrupted her, looking really enthusiastic, “It’s an eastern water dragon. I know, I love them. What’s this one called?”

  Bindi was a little taken aback by Zac’s change of mood. “This one’s called Mardi. And she is the sweetest creature.”

  “Hi, Mardi.” Zac patted the dragon carefully, with one finger along her spine. “I’ve always wanted to have a lizard. I like eastern water dragons but I also really like monitors and blue tongues. Although perenties are really cool too.”

  “Well, the eastern water dragons have a great life at the zoo. We have heaps of them and they get to roam freely around the place. They’re really good at keeping an eye out for any leftovers that the other animals leave behind.”

  Bindi turned to Holly. “Hey, Holly, keep your crab eyes on the lookout. You might see one of these beautiful girls sunning herself on our tortoises. They love the warmth of the shells, and the tortoises don’t seem to mind one little bit.”

  Holly grinned. “How cool.” She gave the dragon a tentative pat because, quietly, she much preferred animals covered in fur.

  The sun continued to shine as the morning wore on. The animals were in good spirits. Even Agro, the zoo’s grumpiest croc, seemed to be smiling today.

  The staff wandered throughout the zoo, making sure everyone stayed happy and safe. “Puffer Fish One to Dolphin Two, state your position, over.”

  “I’m over by the cotton candy, Puffer Fish One. There’s been an incident, over.”

  “What sort of incident, Dolphin Two, over?” Starfish Three was concerned and started heading toward the cotton candy stand.

  Dolphin Two explained: “Nothing serious, Puffer Fish One. Just a sea anemone with cotton candy stuck in her hair, over. It’s almost…” Puffer Fish One heard a yelp over the walkie-talkie as Dolphin Two pulled the cotton candy out. “…There you go. All under control again, over.”

  Puffer Fish One smiled to himself and continued scanning the crowds.

  The zoo’s PA system crackled. “Attention, everyone. It’s time to make your way to the Crocoseum for Bindi’s birthday croc show. It starts in five minutes. You won’t want to miss it.”

  Holly Brown was thrilled. “Let’s go, let’s go!” Her family started to move off toward the Crocoseum, but Zac lagged behind. “Ah, Mum, Dad, I’ll join you in a moment. I just…ahhh…need to go to the bathroom.”

  Bindi’s earlier comment about the eastern water dragons being every-where at Australia Zoo had given Zac an idea. Perhaps his birthday was going to turn out okay after all!

  “We can wait for you if you like, darling?” his mum offered.

  Zac smiled sweetly. “I’ll be fine, Mum, promise. Save me a seat.” He pointed at Holly, who was almost dragging their dad toward the Crocoseum. “You don’t want Holly to miss out on the croc show.”

  “Well, okay, but don’t take too long,” said Mrs. Brown.

  Zac, still wearing his goggles, pretended to head off in the direction of the restroom, as the crowds headed toward the Crocoseum.

  If the zoo has heaps of eastern water dragons, they’re not going to miss one, are they? All he’d done so far today was baby-sit his sister. It was time to spend some time doing what he wanted to do.

  He started scanning the ground and the foliage next to the paths. He did try to keep an eye out for the zoo staff, but most of them were wandering toward the Crocoseum, so he figured no one would notice his hunting mission.

  “Come on, lizards, I know you’re in there somewhere…”

  He caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye and darted off the path into a landscaped palm garden. He tried to grab the tail of a disappearing dragon, but he wasn’t quick enough.

  Instead, he ended up face first in a huge mound of mulch, with a brush turkey squawking furiously at him. His goggles had fogged up during the chase, so he took them off and wiped them clean, while scowling at the brush turkey.

  “Okay, okay, I’m getting off your nest. Calm down.”

  The brush turkey squawked indignantly and started rebuilding his precious mound.

  Zac made his way back to the path. This was only a minor setback. He was not ready to give up yet!

  Robert had a few minutes free before he was needed at the bird demonstration, so he left the Crocoseum in search of a drink. The zoo was practically empty, as most of the guests were now enjoying the croc show. He was heading toward the food court when he spotted that same boy he’d seen frowning at the entrance earlier in the day. He wasn’t really looking any happier and was staring pointedly at the ground. Robert had another couple of underwater-themed jokes. Maybe he could give goggl
e boy another chance? He decided to wander over to the boy and try to make him laugh. After all, his pride was at stake!

  Zac had finally spotted another dragon. He glanced around him, seeing a staff member dressed as a puffer fish off to the left picking up some trash. No one was watching him. This eastern water dragon, who was a small one, about 12 inches long, was sunning himself on a rock just off the path, looking relaxed and happy. Zac was thrilled. This would be a perfect birthday present. His very own reptile.

  He picked him up gently, and stroked him. “Hello, fella.”

  Quickly, he zipped open his backpack, placed the lizard into it, and zipped it shut again. He casually glanced around him, saw no one, and hurried toward the Crocoseum, a big grin on his face—the first one of the day.

  What Zac failed to notice was the small blue-ringed octopus hiding behind a trash can only a few feet from where he had stolen the reptile. Robert stood upright, flicked an angry tentacle, and hurried into the Crocoseum after Zac.

  The Crocoseum was a huge outdoor stadium where all the zoo’s big animal shows were staged. There were large video screens at either end, so you could see the action taking place on stage, up close and personal. Having just finished the croc show, the zookeepers and Bindi were getting ready to start the bird demonstration. Robert raced over to his sister and whispered something to her. She looked concerned, and Robert pointed up into the bleachers. Bindi whispered back to her brother, they both nodded seriously, and then Bindi turned on the mike.

  “Well, everyone, now it’s time for you to see just how clever and gorgeous our macaws are. We need a volunteer from the audience…You, standing up over there.” She pointed up to the bleachers. “Please introduce yourself to the crowd. What’s your name?”

  Zac was standing at the top of the bleachers, searching for the rest of his family but still looking pleased with himself. He didn’t realize he was the one being spoken to until everyone turned to look in his direction.

  “Oh, umm, it’s Zac.” He looked around, saw himself on the big video screens, and started to feel a bit uncomfortable. “Umm, I don’t really want to—”

  Bindi interrupted his excuse, smiling up at him. “Come on now, Zac, we need you. You’re our parrot perch volunteer. Thanks so much.” Bindi gestured to the bird keeper, who now stood next to her, carrying a magnificent green-winged macaw.

  Zac didn’t know what to do. All of a sudden his good mood disappeared, and he began to think that taking an eastern water dragon and putting it in his backpack was a big mistake. You couldn’t just take animals from a zoo. Could you be put in jail for doing something like that? His goggles fogged up again, this time from nervousness.

  Bindi continued her speech. “Now, here we have one of my favorite birds, Chilli the green-winged macaw. She’s still in training, but let’s see if she’s as clever as I think she is.” Bindi leaned over and whispered something to the bird.

  “Okay, Zac, put both your arms out straight, like you’re making a capital T.”

  Zac’s breathing became shallow. He needed to calm down. He wouldn’t go to jail. He was too young…wasn’t he? Trying to stop thinking about what he’d done, he held his arms out, just as Bindi had asked.

  “Okay, Chilli, do your thing!” Bindi pointed toward Zac, and the parrot took off, flying over the crowds, and landed on Zac’s left arm.

  The crowd burst into applause.

  “Well done, Chilli. You’re such a clever bird. Now, back you come,” Bindi called out, but kept her arms at her side.

  Instead of flying back, Chilli ignored Bindi’s request and moved closer to the zip on Zac’s backpack.

  Zac looked horrified and did his best to convince the macaw to fly away. “Hey, Chilli, fly back, fly back!”

  The macaw shook her head slowly and inched even closer to the backpack. The crowd thought the performance was wonderful.

  Bindi continued trying to coerce the bird away. “Chilli, back now, come on, I’ve just told everyone what a clever bird you are.”

  Chilli now had the zip of Zac’s backpack in her beak and was pulling hard.

  Zac wanted to faint. This was now, officially, the worst day of his life. It was his birthday, and he was going to end up in jail for stealing an animal from the best zoo he’d ever been to. How could he have been so silly?! He hoped like crazy the large bird would just leave him alone, and maybe he’d get a chance to return the lizard without anyone knowing.

  Bindi was looking confused. “Gee, Zac, do you have birdseed in there? Why is Chilli so interested in your backpack?”

  Zac started to reply, “I don’t know. I don’t have anything in—” but was interrupted by a collective gasp of surprise, as the eastern water dragon crawled out of his open backpack and jumped onto his right shoulder.

  With the macaw on one shoulder and the eastern water dragon on the other, Zac looked like a professional animal handler, and the crowd broke into applause. What a clever trick!

  Bindi and Robert turned to each other, smiling, and clapped along with the audience. “Well done, Chilli, you are just as clever as I thought you were.” Bindi clicked her fingers and the majestic macaw flew off Zac’s arm and back down to rest on Bindi’s shoulder.

  “Well, folks. As you can see, all the animals at Australia Zoo are one big happy family. They look out for one another, and I hope that you understand how important it is to respect these wonderful creatures and the habitats they live in.”

  Although Bindi’s speech was made to all the crowd, Zac turned a deep shade of red. He had no right to take an animal from the zoo. Not only was it stealing from the zoo, but this was the reptile’s home. He felt so bad he wanted to run away right then and there, but he knew he couldn’t leave without his family. And, after all, the eastern water dragon was still happily perched on his right shoulder.

  Terri the emperor penguin waddled over to Bindi the sea horse and gave her a quick hug. She turned to the crowd. “It’s now time for the cutting of the cake and—” Bindi interrupted her mum and quickly whispered something into her ear. “Oh, okay, honey.” Terri turned back to the crowd. “Zac, the parrot perch boy up there. Bindi tells me it’s your birthday too. Come on down, and you can help her cut the cake.”

  Zac couldn’t believe it. What was going to happen now? Was this some sort of trap? But Bindi was smiling at him and gesturing for him to come down. She didn’t look like she wanted him arrested.

  Five rows down in the bleachers, Holly Brown was almost dying with excitement. “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, my brother’s going to cut the cake with Bindi. Oh my gosh, take a picture, Mum, take a picture!”

  Kids were now lining up to collect a piece of the birthday cake. Not only was it a whale-sized cake, it was in the shape of a whale, and there was plenty to go around. Bindi, Rosie, and Zac were helping to pass out slices to the assortment of underwater creatures looking hungrily on.

  One of the zoo staff had collected the dragon from Zac, looking a little surprised. “That was a clever trick, mate. Haven’t seen that one before.”

  Zac opened his mouth to answer but nothing came out.

  Bindi came to the rescue. “You know we’re always trying out new tricks to keep the animals entertained, Frank.”

  “Well, nice work. It was a terrific show. C’mon little fella. Enough excitement for today.”

  Zac watched the dragon leave. He still felt awful about what he’d done. “Hey, Bindi, I was so totally wrong. I’m sorry,” he said quietly.

  Bindi looked serious for a moment. “It was a really silly thing to do, Zac. And if one of the keepers had seen what you’d done, you would’ve been in serious trouble.”

  Zac nodded. “I know. I wasn’t thinking properly. But, tell me something, how did the parrot know the lizard was in there? Was it some kind of animal telepathy or something?”

  Bindi giggled. “Well, sort of. But it wasn’t actual
ly the parrot that knew, Zac, it was the blue-ringed octopus over there”—she pointed to her brother, who was wolfing down an enormous piece of cake, most of his tentacles already covered in chocolate and cream—“who saw you grab the lizard in the first place.”

  Zac just shook his head, ashamed.

  Bindi continued, “Look, I can tell you love reptiles like I do. And that’s a great thing. Just promise me you won’t do anything like that again, okay?”

  “I promise.” He saw his parents making their way over with Holly, who was carefully holding onto her slice of cake. “I better get going, I guess.”

  Bindi handed him his own slice of cake. “Well, it’s been…interesting meeting you, Zac.”

  He smiled. “It’s been great meeting you, Bindi.” He took the cake. “Thanks for everything.”

  Holly came up to them. “Please, please, can we both take a picture with you, Bindi?”

  Zac was about to object, but he changed his mind. “Good idea, Hol.” He gave his little sister a hug. “Okay with you, Bindi?”

  “Of course.” The three of them posed with big smiles, each holding their slices of cake.

  Mrs. Brown was about to shout “say cheese,” when a small blue-ringed octopus, who had finally finished his enormous piece of cake, tripped on one of his own tentacles and went hurtling into the three of them, just as the camera flashed…