The Talkative Tiger Page 4
And then everyone was calling out, “Me too!”
Zoe grinned. “You can help by donating some money to help save wild animal habitats.” She pointed to the collection box by the stage. Meep ran over to it and jumped up and down. Everyone cheered.
“Thank you for listening to my story,” said Zoe and the crowd all cheered again, loudly. As Zoe left the stage Meep scampered up on to her shoulder.
“I loved your story. Especially the bit about hunting for food,” he chattered into her ear.
“Thank you for helping me tell it,” giggled Zoe.
“I hope the people will help save the animals,” said Meep.
“I think they will,” said Zoe. “Look.” She pointed to a long queue of people waiting to put money in the collection box, which Mark was holding out with a smile.
Meep grinned but then his face fell. “Uh-oh.”
Zoe turned to see Mr Pinch marching over to them and her heart sank. He was probably going to tell Zoe off for letting Meep run about on the stage. But to her surprise he took a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at his eyes. “That was a very good story,” he sniffed.
Then he took some money from his pocket. “I would like to make a donation to help save the mouse lemurs’ habitat.”
“Thank you, Mr Pinch!” exclaimed Zoe.
“Yes well, I can’t stand here and chat all day,” he muttered. “I have tidying to do.”
“Wow!” exclaimed Zoe as Mr Pinch went marching off towards the collection box.
“Wowee!” shrieked Meep.
“Well done, Zoe,” boomed Great-Uncle Horace as he came striding over with Teddy. The little tiger jumped up at Zoe, roaring with joy. “It was such a good idea to tell a story instead of giving a talk,” continued Great-Uncle Horace.
“Thank you,” replied Zoe, bending down to cuddle Teddy. “And thank you for giving me the idea,” she whispered in the cub’s ear. Teddy started chattering away and a crowd of people gathered round.
As they all petted the little tiger Zoe smiled. The zoo certainly was a lot livelier since Teddy had come to live there. She wondered if the next animal to come to the Rescue Zoo would be as chatty and friendly. She really hoped so!
Zoe Parker finished her packed lunch and rushed out into the playground.
“Is it snowing yet?” called her friend Priti from behind her.
“No!” sighed Zoe. The weather forecast had been saying it might snow all week but so far there hadn’t been a single flake, despite it being freezing cold. Zoe and her friends were so excited about playing in the snow! Still, Zoe did have something to look forward to. This afternoon her Great-Uncle Horace was coming to give a talk at her school. It was almost time for the school’s big winter show and Great-Uncle Horace had agreed to help them with it this year!
Zoe’s Great-Uncle Horace was a famous explorer and he travelled all over the world rescuing animals who were lost, injured or endangered. He brought the animals back to live at the Rescue Zoo. Zoe lived at the zoo too, with her mum, Lucy, who was the zoo vet.
“It’s so cold!” said Zoe’s friend Jack, coming out to join the girls. “Shall we play chase to warm up?”
“Good idea!” grinned Zoe.
But before they could begin their game she heard the sound of a car horn playing a musical tune. Zoe’s eyes sparkled. There was only one car horn she knew that sounded like that and it belonged to Great-Uncle Horace! She spun round to face the school gates. Sure enough, Great-Uncle Horace’s cherry-red car was pulling up outside.
“It’s my great-uncle!” she cried.
“Cool car!” exclaimed Priti.
Great-Uncle Horace’s car was a convertible, which meant that the roof could come down. But the roof wasn’t down today because it was far too cold. A wooden trailer was attached to the back of the car. Zoe felt butterflies flutter in her tummy. Great-Uncle Horace usually used the trailer to transport animals in. Had he brought an animal with him to school?
“Come on, let’s go and see him!” said Zoe, and she and her friends hurried over to the school gates.
The school caretaker opened the gates and Great-Uncle Horace drove inside and parked next to the playing field.
“Zoe, my dear!” he cried as he got out of the car. “It’s so wonderful to see you. Brrrr, it’s a bit chilly though!”
“It’s so good to see you too!” said Zoe, giving him a big hug. Then she heard a weird humming sound coming from the trailer.
“What’s in the trailer?” she asked.
“A special guest,” replied Great-Uncle Horace with a twinkle in his eyes. “I’ve just collected her, so I thought I’d bring her along to join in the fun!”
“I thought you were the special guest.” Zoe giggled.
“Well, yes, I suppose I am.” Great-Uncle Horace grinned. “But this guest is even more special!”
Copyright
First published in the UK in 2021 by Nosy Crow Ltd
The Crow’s Nest, 14 Baden Place
Crosby Row, London SE1 1YW
www.nosycrow.com
ISBN: 978 1 78800 935 5
eISBN: 978 1 78800 936 2
Nosy Crow and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Nosy Crow Ltd
Text copyright © Working Partners Ltd, 2021
Illustrations © Sophy Williams, 2021
The right of Working Partners Ltd and Sophy Williams to be identified as the author and illustrator respectively of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of Nosy Crow Ltd.
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Amelia Cobb, The Talkative Tiger
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