Escape The Zoo

A loud ruckus was storming in Blossom Possum Zoo. Many animals anticipated the night where the zookeepers would go through their exhibits to feed, clean, and say goodnight to them, and after that? They would have the Zoo to themselves and would party every night!

This night, it was PingPing the pandas turn to come up with the party activities. Many animals would be coming to her exhibit so it was important she had the best ideas and not embarrass herself.

PingPing roamed around a tree trying to come up with cool ideas. “Man, why is this so hard?” PinPing confessed and climbed up to the tallest branch of her bamboo tree when an idea sparked in her as she gazed across the city full of twinkling lights.

“What if we all can see over the zoo? I’m sure many animals want to see what’s on the other side and I am very blessed I can see it every day! But how? Not everyone can fit on my tree.” She thought for a moment while chewing on a piece of bamboo.

“I know!” she exclaimed and quickly climbed down the tree and peeked over to her neighbor, Kiko the kangaroo. “Psst! Kiko, are you awake?” PingPing asked while squinting into her exhibit.

“I’m awake! Hi, there, PingPing!” Kiko exclaimed and shot out from her cubby hole.

“I’m starting tonight’s party and I have a great idea on what to do, but I need your help!” PingPing said as she tried to hop over the wall to see Kiko.

“Ooo, I want to help, what is it?” Kiko asked curiously. PingPing then explained how she wanted everyone to see what’s on the other side of the zoo and how much fun it would be, but needed her trampoline to have them jump on.

“That’s a great idea! I’m sure everyone would love it. I know I would, I jump all the time, and jumping on trampolines make it extra bouncy!” Kiko exclaimed and giggled.

Kiko was very strong, so she rolled the trampoline and lifted it over the wall.

PingPing grabbed the trampoline and Kiko hoped over the wall to greet PingPing. “You can jump so high, Kiko, I bet you can jump to space!” PingPing laughed.

That night, the zookeepers had left and all the animals were escaping from there exhibits to PingPing’s place, she greeted them all with a hug and wave, and was getting ready to announce the exciting news.
“Alright, everyone! I am the host of this wonderful party and today we won’t be doing any boring activities like Pin The Tail On The Donkey, we’re going to be seeing what’s on the other side of the zoo!”

The animals gasped, as they’ve never heard nor thought of such a thing. The animals cheered in excitement. This would not be a time of boringness, they would be having an adventure, all while still being at the zoo.

One by one, the animals bounced high onto the trampoline and expressed all their joys and told of what they saw. It was a beautiful sight, the scenery was nothing like the zoo. Lastly, it was PingPing’s turn. She stepped onto the trampoline. She planned to wish upon a star as soon as she flew into the air.

PingPing jumped high into the air and soared above and beyond! She could see the twinkling city from afar. She wished and wished as she stared into the night sky and before she knew it, she vanished.

The animals who were gazing up at PingPing gasped in terror as she disappeared. Everyone went frantic trying to find her. They called her name and looked every which way but there was no sign of PingPing.

Out of nowhere, PingPing appeared on a grassy field to which caused her to open her eyes from the feeling of grass tickling her feet. “Woah, where am I?” PingPing looked around at her surroundings and gasped to see the large city before her.

Was this the beautiful scene she was seeing each morning? It sure was, PingPing was now outside of the zoo! She stood up and looked behind her. Her jaw dropped at the sight of the zoo from afar. How was she going to get back? It was still night time and she needed to get back by morning before the visitors arrive.

PingPing was overjoyed knowing she was out of the zoo but worried at the same time. There wasn’t much time to spare so she needed to make the most of the time she did have.

PingPing’s stomach grumbled and so she decided to find a place to eat. She couldn’t walk into a restaurant so instead, she waited for someone to bring out a box of fresh food that was leftover.

The stranger set down the food that was for the trash but when they left, PingPing grabbed the food and hurried to a nearby tree and climbed up. She enjoyed her food of noodles and soup, but it wasn’t quite filling like a big stick of bamboo. Now, she was determined to find bamboo to munch on.

There was a small park nearby where she noticed a nice looking bamboo tree. She was eager, she ran and approached it to snap off a piece and munch. PingPing was able to relax so she sat down and munched for a few minutes until a stranger appeared behind her.

“Excuse me, are you PingPing?” PingPing turned around with Bamboo in her mouth and smiled before responding to the stranger, “Yes, I am, who are you?” She questioned. “My name is Chen. I am a zookeeper in China. The zoo is looking for you and is very worried about your well-being, but I want to ask you something. How would you feel if you went with me back to China?”

Chen asked and helped himself down onto the grass. “China? Oh boy, that’s far away. I wouldn’t be able to see my friends.” PingPing had a discouraging look upon her face while she fidgeting with the piece of bamboo. “I know, but there is much bamboo for you, as a bigger space, lots of trees, and you will be surrounded by others of your kind,” Chen informed PingPing.

This was a difficult decision PingPing would have to make. Leaving for China was exciting to her. She had been at Blossom Possum Zoo since she was born. It was a wonderful place where she has made many friends and new people to see each day.

However, China was somewhere new and where she is originally from. It would be nice to go back. PingPing huffed and laid down onto the grass. “I need to know now, PingPing, so I can tell the Zookeepers you won’t be coming back,” Chen spoke softly.

The voice in her head was telling her to go back to China, and her heart was saying the same. Of course, she would miss her friends, but she would be very happy and who knows, they might visit! It was then decided that PingPing would venture onto a new life in China. The zookeepers were informed and PingPing looked back at the zoo one last time before climbing into a van with Chen.

News spread around the zoo that PingPing was gone. It was saddening to everyone, but they wanted what was best for her and they knew her new life in China would be so much fun.

It had been a week since PingPing arrived, and Chen brought in an odd looking device. A toy? Food? He placed it in front of her where she saw all of her friends on the screen.

PingPing gasped and waved to her friends. They were so happy to see each other. “Guys! Hi, I missed you!” Time passed by and PingPing and her friends were talking about what happened the day of her disappearance, she told them she was safe and had a lot of fun exploring the city. She said Chen was taking good of her, making her friends very happy.

Overall, PingPing and her friends were able to video chat whenever they wanted to. It wasn’t so bad after all, and PingPing enjoyed her new home and new friends and all her friends were happy for her.