CHAPTER 4: LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH GOOD GRIEF!

That Saturday, Charlie Brown, Frieda, Snoopy, Woodstock, Linus, Eudora, Lucy, Schroeder, and Dolores all went to Sparkyville Zoo. They were able to get in for nothing because Dolores's parents had gotten jobs there. When they originally moved away, they had worked at a drive-thru safari, so they knew their stuff about working with animals. For Snoopy to get in, he wore one of his many disguises. This time he was dressed at the World-Famous Safari Leader.

Sometime later, Linus and Eudora were sitting by themselves as everyone was eating lunch at the zoo. Eudora looked like she was in a bad mood.

"How are you enjoying the zoo, Eudora?" asked Linus.

"It's okay, I guess," said Eudora, not looking at Linus.

"Is everything all right?" Linus wondered. "You look like you're angry about something."

"Why did it have to be you to tutor Sally?" Eudora asked all of the sudden. "Out of all the kids they could've asked, why you? Especially after everything that happened on Valentine's Day?"

"I didn't ask to tutor Sally, Eudora," reasoned Linus. "The teachers picked me to do it. I guess they figured since I was one of the smartest students they had. And it's not like I'm trying to be close to Sally or anything."

"No, I trust you, Linus. It's HER that I don't trust."

"Sally?"

"She's going to try to 'win you back' now that you're tutoring her."

"You think she still has a crush on me? She's with Michael now. And she calls him her 'Sweet Babboo' instead of me. Trust me. Sally is no threat to us. Not anymore."

"Well, okay. I still say be careful. You never know." And Linus and Eudora continued to eat their lunch. Over at another table, Charlie Brown and Frieda were enjoying their lunch, as well.

"So what's your favorite exhibit, Frieda?" asked Charlie Brown.

"Oh, I like the tigers," Frieda replied. "Especially the Bengal tigers. I like how some of them are white. It makes them unique."

"I agree," said Charlie Brown.

"What was your favorite exhibit, sweetie?"

"I liked the polar bears. They were pretty big and it's amazing how they can live in that cold of climate in the wild."

"Yeah, but I think I'll stay here. We only have to deal with cold weather around Christmas and Valentine's Day."

"Amen to that."

Over at Lucy and Schroeder's table they were having a similar conversation. Lucy asked her boyfriend, "Which animals did you like best, Schroeder?"

"Well, the giraffes were pretty cool," he replied. "I'm amazed at how tall they were."

"I just wonder how they can eat with those long necks," said Lucy. "It must take forever for the food to get to their stomachs."

"What was your favorite, Lucy?" asked Schroeder.

"The lions, of course. I love how majestic they are and how they command respect. Kind of reminds me of myself, in that regard."

"I figured you'd say that."

Dolores was sitting with Snoopy and Woodstock at another table. She asked them, "So did you two enjoy the zoo?" Snoopy and Woodstock nodded. "I'm glad you had fun. And I got something for you. Honorary Park Ranger Badges!"

The beagle and bird cheered with delight over their badges. Woodstock's, in particular, was smaller so he could carry it, but Snoopy's was normal size. They went over and showed Charlie Brown and Frieda.

"Honorary Park Rangers?" Charlie Brown read the badges. "You know what this means, Frieda. Another alter-ego for Snoopy."

"Maybe I could use that to coax Snoopy into chasing rabbits with me," Frieda pondered. Snoopy razzed at that idea. He would rather frolic with the rabbits than chase them. The kids laughed and finished their lunches.

NEXT CHAPTER: THE LEARNIN' CONTINUES…