Hi, I’m Cody Jones. I’m really excited because today is the big day! My 2nd grade class and I are going to the Mythical Creature Zoo. We, here at the Mythical Creature Academy, are in the process training to be zookeepers there. At the zoo, there are SO many cool creatures! There are: hydras, Minotaurs, Hippogriffs, a unicorn petting zoo, mermaid aquarium with Kelpies and a Kraken, a Sphinx, and even a Centaur. Because Miss Taylor is such a good teacher, she taught us ALL about the cool creatures. Some things she taught me were: to not pet the Hippogriffs until they trust us, and that mermaid tears become aquamarine jewels!
I think I’m set for this amazing trip to the MCZ! My friend, Violet Johnson, and I are hopping all around the bus. I look around and see all of my classmates sitting in their seats. I dragged Violet to the middle of the bus. We took a seat, and started talking about how much fun we were going to have. “My favorite creature is probably going to be the Kelpie,” Violet chatted, “I’ll make sure not to touch it though, I don’t want to get stuck! ” “I think that I’m going to like the merfolk. ” I responded, “|| wish I could have telepathy just like them! ” Having telepathy would be so cool!
I could read my friends’ minds, and talk to them, without Miss Taylor getting me in trouble. “We’re going to have such a fun time! ” Violet cheers. Miss Taylor tells us all to sit down, and we drive off to the zoo. Everyone begins singing “Wheels On the Bus,” and I knew that this trip would turn out great! When we get to the zoo, Miss Taylor herds us, like sheep in front of the unique looking sign, and introduces a man to us. “Okay children, this is Zookeeper Rodger. He’s going to tell you some rules.
Show him that the Mythical Creature Academy students are respectful. ” Miss Taylor passes are attention to Zookeeper Rodger. Okay guys. At the Mythical Creature Zoo we have some rules, but don’t worry, there aren’t many. First off, read the signs. Some say, “don’t touch the creatures,” but others say, “unicorns love to be pet. ” You have to read the signs, because you have no idea what could happen. Second, the buddy system. Everyone, choose a buddy, and lock arms. ” Zookeeper Rodger pauses and I look to Violet. She smiles, nods, and we lock arms.
“Okay, that’s good. Now, never leave your buddy. Ever. Our last and final rule is………. HAVE FUN! We want you to have as much fun as possible. Everyone cheers, and we’re on our way down the main path. We first pass the Sphinx. Miss Taylor attempted to answer the riddle the Sphinx gave us (What number do you get when you multiply all of the numbers on a number pad? ), but did not succeed. She thought the answer was 367,974, but the answer was actually 0. We moved on to the next exhibit: the unicorn petting zoo. It was really cool to pet the beautiful creatures. They would bow down, and allow us to pet their mane and head. I listened to the sign, and avoided their horns because the unicorns don’t like their horns being touched.
This whole time Zookeeper Rodger was explaining how each creature is cared for. The next place we visited was the Aquarium. Underground there was a large viewing area with a window so we can view the mermaids underwater. The Kraken lived peacefully under the water with the merfolk, careful not to upset any other creatures. The aquarium also had a gate around the top of the tank, so we could see the top of the water, the rocks, and Kelpie habitat. Mermen and mermaids would sit upon the rocks, and swim up to the surface to greet us. I was really confused when I couldn’t see the Kelpie.
I figured it must be sleeping in the cave that was in it’s habitat. I look over at Violet, and she seems to be having a great time, just like me! I see a really cool looking mermaid swim up to the gate. She begins to wave and reach her hand, through the rails. I remember reading a sign about mermaids putting their hands, though the rails… oh no! “No! Violet! Stop! That’s the Kelpie! ” I’m too late. The mermaid already has Violet’s hand. She pulls her over the railing, and under water. I begin yelling that Violet has been dragged underwater, and no one takes any notice really.
Only 1 mermaid hears my pleas for help, and swims over. “Hi, my name is Calypso, what’s the matter? ” Calypso asks nicely. “My friend Violet was dragged underwater by the Kelpie disguised as a mermaid! Please help her! ” Calypso nods and races underwater. When she disappears, Zookeeper Rodger and Miss Taylor run up to me. “What happened, Cody? ” Miss Taylor asks me in a confused voice. “The Kelpie shapeshifted into a mermaid, and dragged Violet underwater. Calypso is helping me get her right now! ” | turn back to the water, searching for Violet and Calypso. Near the rocks I hear a gasp of air. It’s Violet!
I see Zookeeper Rodger drive a boat over to the rocks with Miss Taylor to Violet. Violet joins the pair on the boat and they make their way over to me. I feel nervous. I notice that Miss Taylor is comforting her, so I feel a little bit better. Violet runs up to me and begins to talk really fast. “I had no idea it was a Kelpie! I just thought it was a mermaid so I grabbed-” Miss Taylor cuts Violet off. “Okay kids let’s head back to the bus. Our trip is over now. ” My classmates have all gathered around to see why I was making all that noise. We begin to shuffle back to the bus, whining the whole time.
On the bus, Violet starts to explain herself, and why she did everything. Violet tells me that she had no idea that the mermaid was a Kelpie. She thought that it was just a normal mermaid that wanted to swim with her, but she was really scared when it began pulling her underwater. Then another mermaid came up, touched the Kelpie, and Violet floated away. Calypso grabbed her, and brought Violet to the surface. That’s when I saw her. We were talking about the trip, and how much we enjoyed it, when Violet brought something up. “I can’t wait for next year’s field trip! “
