The Zoo's New Arrival

It was a warm night at Edinburgh Zoo and there was a buzz of excitement in the air.

"Have you heard the news?" shouted Marcel over the top of the monkey habitat. Marcel was a squirrel monkey and had just heard some rather exciting news.

Cecil the lion, who was sleeping in his enclosure was awoken by Marcel's call.

"What, what news?" replied Cecil through a yawn.

"We have a new baby in town! - Atty the sloth!!" Marcel began jumping excitedly. "We have to meet him"

Marcel was making such a noise even the giraffes had popped their heads over the top of their wall.

"And how do you expect to do that?" scoffed Gerald, the tallest giraffe "if you haven't noticed - we're locked in!"

Marcel rolled his eyes at Gerald - I'll find a way he thought. Marcel had been so excited about Atty's arrival ever since he heard the news. The 1st baby sloth we've ever had - WOW! Marcel must find a way to meet him!

All the animals watched on as Marcel hatched his plan, if he jumped high enough he could get over the wall. He begins a big run up...

WHACK!

He didn't jump high enough and went crashing into the wall, all the other monkeys looked on unimpressed by Marcel's antics. That doesn’t stop him.

BOSH!

Same again, this is not going to work thought Marcel. He searches the enclosure up and down, until he remembers the trampoline! A few months ago, Jenny, one of the zoo keepers had brought the squirrel monkeys a small trampoline so they could play - perfect! thought Marcel and with that he dragged it to the wall, took a big run up and..

WEEEEEEE!

Over the wall flew Marcel, as if he could fly. All the other animals looked on in disbelief, following him with their heads as he soared through the air.

THUMP!

“He did it!” Shouted Cecil, as Marcel crashed down in a heap.

Gerald and the other giraffes couldn’t believe their eyes and soon wanted part of the action.

“Let us out” they cried

“‘Me too!” Roared Cecil excitedly “I’m so excited to meet our new arrival”

Now Marcel was free he could see the Zoo Keeper’s keys hanging in the nearby hut. They’d all gone home now so no chance of being caught. With that, Marcel unhooked the keys and began to let the other animals out. Giraffes, lions, even the penguins came to see baby Atty.

The noisy crowd shuffled towards the sloth enclosure and there they saw baby Atty all snuggled in his mummy’s arms. How cute he was.

“Lovely to meet you little man” Cecil purred “we’ve been dying to meet you”

“Thank Jenny for the trampoline” giggled Marcel “Atty is just perfect - now let’s get back before we’re in big trouble!”

All the animals went back to their beds, happy knowing they had their trampoline and cheeky Marcel to see Atty again.