OLYMPIC PARK ZOO

• Ashlie Fisher
• Short Story
• 2005

“Wake up James! Wake up Jennie!’’ yelled mum.
“Coming!” we said at the same time. We got ready and came downstairs. After breakfast we went out the front and waited for dad to come and pick us up. He drove
slowly down the road in his big, black, Jeep. “Remember to get them both a souvenir each, okay!” stated mum.
“Okay,” said dad.
“Bye, see ya,” we said.
We gave mum a kiss and hug, and then we drove off. We asked dad where we were going. “Somewhere fun,” said dad.
Finally no boring unit! “Will it be a theme park?” asked James. “Is it a museum?” I asked. “No,” said dad, “you’ll just have to wait and find out!” he replied.
Everyone fell silent, and I fell asleep. Next thing I knew we were there. We hopped out and yelled “The Zoo!”
We walked in the gates and ran off to the seals first, and how good they were! One of them reminded me of Liz Ellis - the famous Australian netball team captain. Wow they were great! The ball actually went in the hoop every time.
Next we came to the monkeys. They were swinging around all over the place; one was just like the Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci.
We continued on until we came to the Penguins and there was one particular penguin with spiky hair skating on the ice just like Steven Bradbury. One of the penguins slid into three others and they all fell over. It was such a laugh.
Then we came to the giraffes. Their long necks reminded me of Pole Vaults, one was stretching up just like Tatiana Grigorieva.
Next we came to the Flamingos and they were dancing. I think it’s the Tango!
They were great just like Bec Cartwright and Michael Miziner.
Then we strolled along to the lion’s den. They were playing what looked like tennis. Ooh, good serve, just like Lleyton Hewitt a real champion.
Behind the lions we saw a cheetah running across the plains. “Wow! She’s as fast a Cathy Freeman,” I said to James. He just grunted.
Then we turned to see a Zebra crossing the gravel road. “Get back in your enclosure!” the zookeeper yelled.
“He can’t, he’s a pedestrian crossing,” joked James! We both laughed at the joke.
We came upon a dolphin show, and oh they were great! They were as good as Chantel Newbury the Australian diver. After the dolphins we came the platypuses. There were two of them racing up the stream trying to race each other – just like Grant Hackett and Ian Thorpe!
“Bang!” I bashed my head on the door of the car. I had fallen asleep and awoke after hitting my head. It had all been a dream. When I looked out my window, I saw dad had driven us to Sydney Olympic Park to watch the football! How boyish!