"Mush, get your jaw off the floor." Skittery said, rolling his eyes.
Kid Blink laughed. "What do you care? The kid's having fun, let him gawk."
Skittery turned towards Blink, stabbing a finger out towards his chest. "Now don't you come to his rescue, like always."
Racetrack snorted. "I don't think you're gonna win this one, Skitts."
"Whatever." Skittery huffed. "I'm just trying to enjoy my day at the zoo, that's all. See some animals. Can't do that when Mush spends an eternity staring at just one!"
"You's just jealous nobody's ever looked at you like that!" Blink jabbed, drawing laughter from the whole group.
Denton was watching from a few feet away, smirking as he watched them bicker. He liked to take the newsboys out occasionally. They may have won the strike, but that didn't make them rich- and boys deserved to have some fun. Plus, none of them had ever been here before. The Bronx Zoo had just opened in 1899- a year they were all a little preoccupied. It was the newest zoo in New York City, and they were all excited to finally get a look.
Mush, especially, had been looking forward to the trip ever since Denton mentioned it as a possibility. And now that they were finally there, he was in heaven. He had a huge soft spot for all animals, but one exhibit in particular had caught his attention.
Blink shouldered him lightly. "How have you never seen a bat before?"
"It's not that I's never seen a bat before- it's that I's never seen one this big!" Mush breathed.
They heard an unfamiliar laugh behind them, prompting even Mush to turn around. "You're right kid, that kind of bat is a whole lot bigger than the ones you see here in New York." Said a man in a zookeeper uniform.
Mush elbowed Skittery. "See, I told ya it was special!"
"You didn't say nothin'. You just stood there and stared."
The zookeeper was undeterred. "That fellow there is what's known as a flying fox."
Mush was suddenly confused. "I thought you said it was a bat?"
"Sure is!" The keeper said with a grin. "The biggest bat there is, in fact. Found in the Philippines." He paused. "You know, I'm actually on my way to feed him right now. Want to come?"
Mush's jaw hit the floor again. "You's kidding."
"Come on fellas," The keeper said with a beckoning wave. "You're gonna love this."
The boys all swung around to look at Denton, who gave them an enthusiastic nod. "You boys go, I'll watch from here."
That was all the motivation they needed to go scampering along the keeper's side. In no time at all, they found themselves at the back door of the exhibit.
"All right now, I'm going to give you each a piece of fruit. Just hold it out calmly on this stick here. Don't worry, he's gentle."
Blink went first, followed by Race and Skittery. When it came to Mush's turn, he was frozen in place.
"He's so big," Mush whispered. "You're sure he only eats fruit?"
"I'm sure." The keeper said reassuringly.
Mush glanced back at the other newsboys, who all nodded encouragement. They knew now was not the time to poke fun at their friend. That would come later.
Mush reached out tentatively, giving the bat his final chunk of fruit for the day. He breathed a sigh of relief.
As they exited the enclosure, Blink poked him. "Wouldn'ta guessed you were gonna be scared by the way you was lookin' at him earlier."
"I wasn't scared!" Mush protested.
"Sure you were!" Skittery joined in. "I saw you, basically shaking in your boots."
Mush looked to Race for help, but Race only shrugged. "Hey, it's nothing to be ashamed of. It is something, though, that you's not ever gonna live down."
The zookeeper laughed. "C'mon fellas, if I remember correctly, you've got someone waiting for you back where I found you."
As he herded the boys back over to Denton, he held Mush back.
"Hey, I know you were nervous."
Mush tried to cut in, but the keeper continued speaking. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. I used to be scared of them too!"
"Really?"
"Yeah! But the more I learned about them, the less scary they became. That's how it goes with most things. You just gotta learn."
Mush nodded, touched by this stranger's kindness.
"I know you're probably a little too old for this, but here." The keeper pressed something into Mush's hand. "You earned it."
He gave one last wave to the group, who all shouted over each other back at him their own version of "thank you".
As the keeper retreated and the boys continued on their way, Mush finally took a look at what he was holding in his hand. A "junior keeper" badge. Sure, he might be a little old for that. But that didn't mean it wasn't his new prized possession.
a/n
Before anyone comes at me, I know that no zoo would let anyone feed the bats without proof of rabies vaccination. But I ignored it for the sake of the story. Sorry, I'm a sucker for zoo content and wanted the boys to have a memorable visit. Also, speaking of this disclaimer, please do not try to feed bats. However, do talk to zookeepers whenever you get the chance. They're nice and smart and love to talk about their animals
This was written for newsietober bats prompt and posted super late!
Thank you for reading!