Can Penguins Sit Down? |
Shirley and her Mother were going to The Zoo. “Mummy,”said Shirley, holding her Mother’s hand as she skipped over the cracks on the pavement,.. “Can penguins sit down?” “Do you know”, replied her Mother, “I have never thought of that before, but I don’t believe they can”. “So that’s why…” Shirley began. “Why what?” said her Mother. “Why I have never seen a penguin driving a car” said Shirley. “Not ever.” (Illustration: They are oblivious to the passing traffic -driven by penguins.). “That is true.” Her Mother replied, thoughtfully. “And as well as that”, said Shirley, now looking somewhat troubled. “This must also be why I have never even heard of a penguin going to school. Not one!” (Illustration: They pass a school building, oblivious to the penguins there ). “That is absolutely right” said her Mother. “And Mummy,” Shirley continued, now looking more worried than ever, “This must also be why I have never, ever seen a penguin at a party. Just think! All the children would be happily playing – ‘pass the parcel’ or musical bumps – and a penguin would just have to stand there and watch! Poor things! It must be awful for them! (Illustration: Shirley’s thought bubble: A party with a penguin -forlorn.) “It is sad…” her Mother replied, as they waited in the queue by the big gold gate to The Zoo. …“but try not to worry about it too much – we’re going to have a lovely day”. Shirley’s Mother paid the man for their tickets, and Shirley skipped along into The Zoo. Shirley skipped… …Through the big gold gate …Up the steps .…Past the tigers …Along the tunnel with all the different butterflies, from every country in the world… …Down the path with the monkeys ,,,and straight to the penguins. (Illustration zooms in on the little penguin and his mother) Little penguin and his mother were looking out across the water at Shirley,“Mummy” said the little penguin, tapping a dance on the ice as he spoke. “So that’s why…” the little penguin began. “Why what?” said his Mother. “Why I have never seen a little girl who can slide ‘ weeeeee…’ down the slippery ice, and ‘splash!’ into the water” said the little penguin. “Not one” (Illustration: they are oblivious to penguins in the background sliding down a slope – and little Shirley whizzing gracefully ahead. ) “That is true.” his Mother replied, thoughtfully. (Illustration: Shirley’s mother arrives - she and the crowd are aghast, watching Shirley ) “And Mummy”, said the little penguin, now looking rather troubled. “This must be why I have never even heard of a little girl, who came across a hungry polar bear, and lived to tell the tale! Not ever!” (Illustration: They are oblivious as Shirley out manoeuvres penguins, in escaping polar bear) “That is absolutely right” said his Mother ( Illustration: increased alarm of Mother and crowd – keepers arrive: running / in a panic) “And” the little penguin continued, now looking more worried than ever “There’s something else: I have never ever seen a little girl who can skidaddle up to the keeper quickly enough, to grab the biggest fish before they’re gone! (Illustation: Little penguin’s thought bubble: Sad little girl at back of queue to receive the dregs of the keeper’s fish) “It is sad…” his Mother replied, “… But look! There’s no more time to worry about little girls! Here come the keepers with the fish - feeding time is early today! Go and get as many as you can… (Illustration: they are oblivious to the scene unfolding around them: Mother and crowd are holding breath as keepers rush in to rescue Shirley. One keeper carries a bucket of fish to distract the penguins. One fish stands out as the biggest) …Daddy will want his dinner when he comes home from driving the bus all day… Your sister will be hungry after school… And we’ll need a few more for your party later!” “Okaay!” replied the little penguin, as he raced off towards the keeper “But Mummy, I’m ever so glad I’m not a little girl... It must be awful for them!” (Illustration: Little penguin and Mother oblivious as Shirley is reunited with mother.)
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