Leo pushed through the zoo gate. He gasped. A giraffe neck unrolled a red carpet path.
The velvet path felt soft under his sneakers. Leo stepped forward, eyes wide.
A penguin slid past Leo's legs. It left a wet trail on the stone floor.
Leo wiped his shoe with a leaf. He followed the slippery tracks toward the pond.
The penguin dropped its shiny pebble into a deep crack in the rocks.
Leo knelt and reached in, but his arm was too short. The water rippled gently.
Leo pulled a long vine from a tree. He tied the pebble to the end.
He swung the vine down. Plink! The pebble stuck to the knot. The penguin waddled over happily.
The penguin gave the pebble back. Leo smiled.
The animals gathered around Leo. They bowed their heads in a circle of friendship.
A warm breeze carried the scent of fresh hay. Leo stood among friends.
Leo smiled. He was part of the zoo family now.
