28 June 2017

At the Zoo

When I was around five years old,
I was taken to the Zoo.
I was blond, and small, and shy,
nothing was I dared to do.

A group of older schoolboys stood
next to the cage of monkeys,
"You're ugly!" they mocked the chimps,
"You are ugly!" they chanted.

I threaded my way through them, and
bravely stopped before the bars,
"You're beautiful, beautiful!"
I started to shout aloud.



My grandmother and I

















This story was told by my grandmother so many times, but I don't know what happened after that... I'd like to think the boys fell silent, ashamed, but more likely they didn't care about me so much... :D







Photos were taken at Budapest Zoo in 2004.

11 comments:

  1. That is a wonderful story! But I do hate to see animals in cages.

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    1. I absolutely agree with you. You can feel their sadness... ♥

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  2. What a lot of different animals. They look cared for so it doesn't look so bad for them. :)

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    1. Fortunately, more and more zoos try to make the animal homes comfortable and more natural, and try to make their lives interesting and active... :-)

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  3. Oh my goodness, is that a baby camel? It looks so cute! :)
    I don't like zoos very much either. Preserving and protecting endangered species? Perhaps in some cases...
    The story you told is wonderful. I believe the boys wanted to look unperturbed, but perhaps something good happened in their minds.
    Have a lovely weekend, Edit, and remember that your comments are never too long. :)

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    1. Thank you for the lovely words, dear Sara! I think the zoos have been changing a lot... fortunately. :-)

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  4. oh dear this poetic story is so inspirational!!!
    may be the boys did not care that time but she discovered her and that was truly amazing.
    i clicked on image and saw your beautiful grandmother and you in pretty green,you look adorable dear friend!
    photos are stunning

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    1. Oh, thank you so much! You are so kind! :-)

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