The children chopped and cut fruits and vegetables until their fingers were stiff. They sliced bananas, carrots, oranges, and apples.
Pat took out the meat from the huge refrigerator and hurriedly sliced the meat for the big cats. She worked fast and well. In the background they could hear growls, roars, squalls, screeches, whistling, and squeaking. Pat glanced over at Violet. “You can certainly tell the animals are hungry,” she said.
“All these different dinners you need to prepare,” Jessie said in amazement. “I didn’t know there was so much work in running a zoo.” She threw three oranges in a bowl, which already contained a half pound of carrots, a half pound of cabbage, and five apples. This was one bear’s diet.
Pat stopped what she was doing to come to Jessie’s side and add a pound of beef mix and drizzle honey over the entire meal.
Jessie started on the second bear’s dinner. This wasn’t as hard since she’d already done one. At least nothing needed chopping.
Pat, slicing off large chunks of fat from the beef, chuckled. “You’d be surprised how many diets we’ve tried. Lions, though, are particular, like your ordinary house cat. Finicky. If they don’t like the food you give them, the lions simply give a swish of their tails and leave it. Sometimes it takes months to get the right balance that will tempt them.” Pat’s soft blue eyes sparkled. She liked to talk about her work. “We mix nutritious food with beef, but if I mix in too much of the nutritious food, the cat won’t eat it. It’s hard to find just the right healthy combination.” As she spoke, she cut meat off a joint of beef. “I miss the large electric knives that we usually work with.”
“The lions should like that,” Jessie said, eyeing the huge chunks of meat.
“Oh, they will,” Pat said.
“Do the animals get fed only once a day?” Violet asked, rinsing off fish for the seals.
“No,” Pat replied, scooping back a wisp of hair. “Usually they eat once in the morning, have an afternoon snack, and dinner at night. We need to chop food for the special diets. Often the animals won’t eat the food if it isn’t in bite-sized pieces. Then, too, when we cut up the food it’s easier to add the vitamins and supplements that the animals need.”
Edward rushed into the kitchen. “The electrician arrived, so you can use the appliances,” he said.
“What was wrong?” Pat asked.
“Someone cut a few wires!” Edward replied bitterly.
“Oh, no,” Pat exclaimed. “What a rotten thing to do! Why would they do it?”
“That’s a good question,” Edward replied. “Something’s going on here and I don’t like it!”
Pat shivered. “I don’t either.”
“We’ll need to be more watchful,” Edward said, plucking a piece of straw from his denim shirt.
“Looks like you’ve fed the elephants,” Pat said.
“Yes,” Edward answered. “David returned just in time to help me.” He sighed. “Good thing my zoo is small or we’d be here until midnight.”
David hurried in. “It’s scary about the cut wires,” he said anxiously. “I’d like to catch the one who did it!” He glanced at Pat. “What can I do?”
“Give the bears their food. They must be starved,” Pat said.
David grabbed two large buckets, smiling at the Aldens. “Hi,” he said. “Welcome to the zoo!”
“Let me help you.” Jessie acted quickly, opening the door for him.
Edward introduced all the children to David.
“I’ll be back in a minute for the seals’ food,” the boy called over his shoulder. He ran to the bears.
He returned in a few minutes and grabbed a bucket of fish. “The bears were hungry!” he said, running out again to feed the seals.
The calls and screams had gradually died down as the animals received their food.
Happy they could be of help, the Aldens walked home with Edward.
“I’m taking everyone to Rita’s Restaurant tonight,” Edward said. “You really saved the day.”
“Isn’t it strange that someone cut the wires,” Henry said. “It caused a lot of work.”
“I know,” Edward said grimly, his face tired with lines. “I’ll find out who did it, though.”
Jessie gave him a sharp look. Was there some person Edward suspected? Was it the same person who’d switched the animals’ tags? Who could it be? Pat certainly knew all about the zoo. It would be easy for her. But she was so nice. Was it Helen Brooks? She wanted to get rid of the zoo. Would she really stoop to such mean tricks? Jessie plucked a leaf from a tree and tore it into little pieces. She didn’t know what to think.
Arriving home, they told Grandfather that Edward wanted to take them to Rita’s for supper. He was delighted, and after everyone had cleaned up, they left together.
Over a bowl of tomato soup, Henry told Grandfather what had happened.
“Did someone deliberately snip the wires, Edward?” Grandfather asked, his eyebrows raising up a bit.
Edward nodded. “I’m positive, but, of course, I don’t know who.”
The waitress cleared the table and brought sandwiches stacked with slices of ham and swiss cheese.
The meal ended with strawberry sundaes for everyone.
The next morning the children rose early and fixed cereal with bananas and toast, plus their usual orange juice and milk.
Violet and Jessie watered the flowers while Benny helped Henry paint Edward’s bookcase. All morning they worked, then they packed a picnic lunch in a cooler and walked to the city park.
The park’s green grass and blue pond shimmered in the sunlight. Large trees shaded picnic tables and the swings.
“Could I have a ride on the swings?” Benny asked.
“Sure, come on,” Henry said, smiling. “I’ll push you so high you’ll touch the sky.”
In a short time, Henry left Benny to swing alone and chinned himself on the iron bar. When he’d finished, Jessie chinned herself just as many times as her brother.
Benny had moved to the jungle gym and climbed all over it. Violet tried out the rings. Holding her arms straight, she did a handstand, then flipped over to the ground.
From atop the jungle gym, Benny clapped. “That was great, Violet.” He began to climb down. “I’m hungry.”
“I think we should eat our lunch over there,” Violet said, pointing to a picnic table surrounded by oaks and at the edge of the pool.
“Perfect!” said Jessie. “It’s shady and by the water.”
They hurried over and Henry set the table. Jessie took out the tuna salad sandwiches and potato chips.
Violet poured milk from the thermos while Benny sat waiting, eager to begin.
They enjoyed the beautiful day, the blue sky with white fleecy clouds, and the soft breeze.
Benny was sad to leave, but Jessie promised they’d come back. But first, she thought, we have to solve the mystery at the zoo!
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