Sofia2017 planning asked about this classic Shirley Temple song, so enjoy your request! I thought that, following James' recovery from his illness in chapter 44, it would be fun if he followed up on his promise and took the girls, Nell, Bobby Lee, and Ricky to the royal zoo to meet his pet baboon Eddie Monkey. Elena and Gabby would also remember a song they learned in preschool and sing it for them. Some of James and Bobby Lee's memories are from chapter 1 of my collection Pet Stories. Shirley Temple's music is not mine. There's also a snippet of an Eddie Money song in here; Eddie Money's music is not mine either.
"It was really nice of you to come with us, James," Nell smiled as James gave her, Bobby Lee, Elena, Gabby, and Ricky a tour of the royal zoo. "I know the girls wanted to see your pet baboon when you were sick."
"Any time," James smiled as he watched Elena running ahead until she paused at the pen containing Amber's peacock Praline. "But they know good things come to those who wait, right?"
"Florence and Bianca have taught you so well!" Nell couldn't help but laugh as she remembered hearing Florence and Bianca say that to not just Bobby Lee on a daily basis, but also to her, Madeline and Sabrina.
"Queen Melinda too, and Roland and Miranda," Bobby Lee grinned. "And I can't count how many times my mother said that to me!"
"James all better now?" Gabby asked, recalling how James had been sick a few days ago because of that yucky 'pelican powder', which according to Madeline, had spilled on him at school.
"Yes, I'm all better, Gabby," James smiled, mussing her hair. "I just wanted to wait until I made a full recovery before I showed you around the royal zoo. But both of you be careful around Amber's peacock, and don't get too close to my pet baboon."
"You hear that, Elena?" Nell said as she caught up with Elena. "Give them both some space."
"Don't worry, James, we'll all give them space, but I remember when you got that monkey of yours," Bobby Lee grinned, gently guiding Elena back. "And I remember when you named him! You said that's what you thought the singer's name was!"
"Give me a break! I was only eight when I adopted him, I used to hear the guards singing his songs, and like you said, that's what I thought the singer's name was!" James frowned.
"It's okay, James; that also proved that you're good at plays on words and word games," Nell smiled as she pulled him into a hug.
"And any time you'd play with him, you'd have to sing his favorite song," Bobby Lee added, and he smiled as James sang with him, "I've got two tickets to paradise!"
"We sing too?" Elena giggled, flapping her hands.
"Yeah!" Gabby smiled in agreement.
"That's a great idea, girls! Wasn't there a song you used to sing about animals in preschool?" Nell asked.
"If it's as cutesy and annoying as their graduation song, I'm out of here!" James whispered to Bobby Lee.
"Me too, but don't worry, James; I'll make it up to you and we'll have some guy time to ourselves," Bobby Lee whispered back.
"What's that, Robert?" Nell grinned.
"I didn't say anything!" Bobby Lee smiled innocently.
"Sure you didn't," Nell smirked. "Elena, Gabby, how would you two like to sing the song for Ricky? I've got the tape and tape player right here!"
"Yeah!" Elena giggled, flapping her hands. "Ricky learn animal cracker song!"
"Yeah!" Gabby giggled. "Let's sing it for Mommy, Daddy, and James too!"
"Animal cracker song?" Bobby Lee repeated, then he groaned, "Helen, you wouldn't!"
"Nell, please don't play that song!" James pleaded, "I'll let you and Bluebell sit in on my next brainstorming session when I work on a story!"
"James and I were always singing the girls' graduation song all day after they finished practicing; do you want us to sing this all day too?" Bobby Lee pleaded. He saw the surprised looks on Elena and Gabby's faces at that revelation, and blew them each a kiss as he said, "I love you, girls!"
"Love you, Daddy!" Elena giggled, knowing that Daddy was just being silly, and that he really liked the song.
"Love you!" Gabby giggled.
"Teasing James and Daddy with this song is fun, isn't it, Ricky?" Nell giggled, seeing James and Bobby Lee, who had forced smiles on their faces when the music started, and were cringing at the song.
"Teasing's not nice!" Elena scolded.
"Maybe not, but hearing you sing the song is!" Nell smiled, recalling that she used to sing this for Bianca and Lydia when she was younger.
"I start this time?" Gabby asked.
"Okay!" Elena giggled, knowing that she had started another song they sang, and now it was Gabby's turn.
"Go for it, Gab-Gab," Nell grinned.
Gabby giggled as she sang, Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop
Gosh, oh gee! but I have fun
Swallowing animals one by one
Elena started dancing as she continued, In every bowl of soup I see
Lions and tigers watching me
Gabby joined in the song and dance, I make 'em jump right through a hoop
Those animal crackers in my soup
"Cannons…singing...writing stories…playing word games…" James muttered, trying to focus on something he liked so the song wouldn't be stuck in his head.
"Fishing and playing with James…guarding loved ones…beating Jimmy senseless when I rescued Helen, Madeline, and Sabrina…" Bobby Lee muttered, focusing on his own things.
"Oh, you two! But I wholeheartedly agree about the beating Jimmy senseless!" Nell chuckled.
At the same time, Elena gave Eddie a peanut as she sang, When I get hold of the big bad wolf
I just push him under to drown
Then I bite him in a million bits
And I gobble him right down!
Gabby gave Eddie another peanut, giggling as he showed them his double back flip as she continued, When they're inside me where it's dark
I walk around like Noah's Ark
I stuff my tummy like a goop
With animal crackers in my soup!
As they heard Ricky squealing as he watched them, Elena and Gabby started another verse, Animal crackers in my soup
Do funny things to me
They make me think my neighborhood
Is a big menagerie
"You like the song too, Ricky?" Nell grinned as Eddie started dancing. "And did you see him flip?"
As Ricky clapped his hands, Elena hugged him as she sang, For instance, there's our Janitor
His name is Mr. Klein
And when he hollers at us kids
He reminds me of a lion
Gabby also hugged him as she joined in, The grocer is so big and fat
He has a big mustache
He looks just like a walrus
Just before he takes a splash!
"Let's dance too, Ricky!" Nell grinned, pointing at Praline. "Just like that birdie over there! And let's be glad I like peacocks!"
"Amber says Praline loves dancing, just like her and Elena," James smiled as Ricky squealed and pointed at Praline.
Elena giggled as she watched Praline do his 'shimmer' as she continued the next verse, Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop
Gosh, oh gee! but I have fun
Swallowing animals one by one
"Where's Amber to see this when we need her?" Bobby Lee grinned.
As she watched Praline and Eddie, Gabby sang, In every bowl of soup I see
Lions and tigers watching me
I make 'em jump right through a hoop
Those animal crackers in my soup
"We'll tell her about this," James whispered, "Amber was more of the Shirley Temple fan than I was when we were kids."
Elena giggled as she joined in, When I get hold of the big bad wolf
I just push him under to drown
Then I bite him in a million bits
And I gobble him right down!
Gabby giggled as she sang back, When they're inside me where it's dark
I walk around like Noah's Ark
I stuff my tummy like a goop
With animal crackers in my soup!
She and Elena finished the song together, When they're inside me where it's dark
I walk around like Noah's Ark
I stuff my tummy like a goop
With animal crackers in my soup!
"That was wonderful, girls!" Nell smiled, clapping as the girls took a bow.
"After all that dancing, I think Praline and Eddie are going to get a really good sleep tonight," James grinned.
"You have monkey in your room too?" Elena asked.
"Surprisingly, no," James frowned. "I'll have to buy a plush monkey to represent him in my room, just like I did for Little Rex. I know Amber bought a stuffed peacock after she brought Praline home."
"You have a new friend to write stories with!" Gabby giggled.
"That's a good idea, Gabby," James smiled as he hugged her. "One can never have too many writing buddies!"
