Free The Silky Seal Pup by Amelia Cobb Page B

giggled at Meep’s cute nickname for her great-uncle.
    Great-Uncle Horace was sitting in a comfy chair with a cup of tea and a plate of his favourite custard cream biscuits next to him. His friendly brown eyes lit up when he saw Zoe. Kiki, the hyacinth macaw who went everywhere withGreat-Uncle Horace, was perched on the back of the chair, preening her beautiful blue feathers. And huddled on Great-Uncle Horace’s lap was a ball of pure white fluff.
    Meep squeaked curiously. “Zoe, what is it?” he whispered. “It looks just like a big fuzzy snowball.”
    Zoe grinned. “I think it’s a baby seal!”

    Great-Uncle Horace beamed. “That’s right, my dear!” he said. “She’s a harp seal pup, and she’s just a week old. Come and have a closer look.”
    As Zoe and Meep crept forward, the seal woke up. Slowly, a pair of huge, inky-black eyes blinked open and stared at them. Then the baby seal twitched her black nose and whiskers, and looked nervously at Great-Uncle Horace.
    “She’s quite timid,” Great-Uncle Horace explained. “She’s had a rather scary time, I’m afraid. She was taken from her home by hunters.”
    Zoe gasped. “That’s awful!”
    Great-Uncle Horace nodded gravely. “A baby seal’s splendid white coat is very valuable to some people. Luckily, Kiki and I found her just in time – and I knewthe Rescue Zoo was the right home for her!”
    Gently, Zoe reached out and stroked the pup’s fluffy white head. “She’s so beautiful,” she said.
    “And a fascinating animal too!” said Great-Uncle Horace. “Did you know that baby harp seals learn to swim and find their own food when they are just a few weeks old? Truly incredible. And even though seals live in some of the coldest oceans in the world, they’re actually warm-blooded mammals – just like tigers, or elephants. Their beautiful coats and a thick layer of blubber keep them toasty and warm.”
    Zoe sat cross-legged on the floor in front of her great-uncle with Meep on her shoulder. She loved it when Great-UncleHorace told her about animals! “What’s a group of seals called?” she asked.
    “Well, there are a few different names,” Great-Uncle Horace replied. “Some people call it a herd, some a rookery, and others a pod.”
    “Like a group of dolphins!” said Zoe. “That’s who we were visiting today, before you arrived.” Suddenly a thought popped into her head. “Great-Uncle Horace, why didn’t you let anyone know you were coming home? Normally you sail your hot-air balloon right over the whole zoo, so all the animals know you’ve arrived.”
    To her surprise, Great-Uncle Horace blushed bright pink. “Well…er…would you like a custard cream?” he asked quickly, holding out the plate of biscuits.Zoe glanced down at Meep, who looked just as puzzled as she felt. Was Great-Uncle Horace trying to keep his arrival a secret for some reason? Before she could say anything, her uncle continued. “I almost forgot! I have some more exciting news, Zoe,” Great-Uncle Horace smiled. “I’ve brought home some wonderful chrysalises. They’re the little homes that caterpillars make for themselves when they are getting ready to turn into butterflies. They’re still in the balloon, and I must take them to the butterfly room at Higgins Hall before they hatch. Would you like to come?”
    Zoe hesitated. She loved butterflies, but she was eager to try and speak to the seal pup alone. New animals were sometimes nervous when they arrived at the zoo, andZoe always tried to give them a friendly welcome in the special way that only she could! “Can I stay here and help the baby seal settle in?” she asked hopefully.
    Great-Uncle Horace nodded, smiling. “Of course, my dear! I know you’ll take excellent care of her.”
    He stood up, with the seal cradled in his arms, and held her out to Zoe. Zoe scrambled up on to the sofa and Great-Uncle Horace carefully placed the seal pup in her arms so she could hold her like a baby. Zoe gasped as