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Picture - A Giraffe Hiding Behind a Tree - by Nigel A. JAMES
Summer
in Vienna
Saluting
Giraffes
This
summer, whilst taking an evening tour of Vienna's zoo in Schönbrunn,
I got to know something of interest. A story of three very old
African ladies. 3 stunning giraffes. And, briefly, this is their
story.
Down
at the zoo in Schönbrunn in Vienna, the old giraffe house was
falling to pieces. A new one was urgently needed. Something much
bigger and better. Comfort and luxury for the tallest animals on
earth. But, what about the giraffes that were there? A new temporary
home was urgently needed.
The
solution was easy. It was over the fence in the barracks next door.
And all very close.
The
army, having lots of spare space on their ground, very nicely offered
to put up a new temporary home for the soon to be homeless giraffes.
An enclosure. New quarters for three very tall ladies with very long
legs. And, there the giraffes were very, very happy.
And,
down in the zoo the building began. A new home for giraffes; the
ladies wouldn't have to stay long in the barracks. But, the building
took longer than planned. In fact, very much longer than expected.
Good things take very much time and Rome, too, wasn't built in a day.
And,
then, one day it was finished. The new giraffe house. Shining and
bright and luxury pure. A comfortable home for giraffes.
But,
there was one little problem. A challenge. The giraffes had grown old
in the barracks. They were now three very old ladies and too
frail to go back to the zoo. What was to be done? No problem. This
is a story with a very happy ending.
Four
young giraffes came up on the train from Trieste. And, these four
young giraffes from Trieste soon settled wonderfully in in their new
home in the zoo in Vienna at Schönbrunn. Austrian food is much
better than Italian! And, not far away, just over the hill, our
three dear old ladies still sleep very well in their permanent
temporary military quarters. And, belonging to the army, these
three very old giraffes have military ranks. The highest of all.
All three are generals. Three General Giraffes. So, salutes at
sun-up and salutes at sundown. And, of course, long leather boots
and a little red beret to wear on parade.
Life
is full of surprises. And, saluting giraffes is very unusual.
Saluting
Giraffes – A true summer story written and read by Nigel A. JAMES
A Giraffe Hiding Behind a Tree - by Nigel A JAMES
