​Charlotte, the Animal Rescuer



​Five-year-old Charlotte, with her bouncy ponytail and fringe of bangs, was known in her neighborhood as the greatest animal rescuer in the world. Her backyard, even though it wasn't gigantic, felt like the whole planet to the friends she kept there.

​Her current guests were her biggest and best:

  • ​Cindy, the beautiful giraffe, had a gentle smile and eyelashes longer than Charlotte's whole arm.
  • ​Luki, the speedy kangaroo, was a master jumper who loved to bounce high.
  • ​Dora, the happy hippo, had a wrinkly nose and the sweetest little giggle.

​Mealtime was an adventure!

​For Cindy, Charlotte would rush up to the very top floor, lean out the upper window, and hold out fresh, leafy branches. Cindy would crane her long neck, poke her head over the roof, and daintily take the snacks with her purple tongue.


​For Luki, Charlotte would open the second-story window. Luki, with a powerful thump-thump-thump, would leap high off the ground, standing on his tiptoes to grab the treats right out of Charlotte's hand before hopping back down.


​And for Dora, Charlotte would bring big buckets of wet grass and dump them right near the bottom of the house, where Dora’s little pond used to be the garden shed.


​The Big Goodbyes

​Charlotte knew her friends were just visiting. They didn't belong in her backyard; they belonged where they could run, swim, and stretch.

​First, it was time for the Africa friends. Charlotte packed a special trunk and, with a big, brave hug for each, she took Cindy the giraffe to a sunny reserve in Africa where huge acacia trees grew just for her. Next, she took Dora the hippo to a huge, muddy river in Africa, too, where Dora immediately dove in with a happy splash.

​Last was Luki. Charlotte got on a giant plane and flew all the way to the Outback of Australia. She watched Luki bounce away over the bright red dirt, a tiny speck heading toward endless freedom.

​Charlotte came home to a very quiet house. She missed the crunch of Cindy’s eating, the thump-thump of Luki’s hops, and Dora’s sleepy sighs. She missed them so badly her heart felt a little empty.

​But she cuddled up on the couch with her dog, Bobo. Bobo licked her cheek.

​"It's okay, Bobo," she whispered, stroking his fur. "They are where they need to be. They're home.

​Charlotte closed her eyes, thinking about the whole, wide world, and smiled. Her backyard might be empty for now, but there were so many other animals out there just waiting for her to find them. And Charlotte, the greatest rescuer, was ready.

​

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