CHAPTER 5 Zoo-rific! “Guess what?” Mark asked Mattie as they rode their bicycle built for two home from school on the first Monday of October. “What?” Mattie questioned, leaning forward so she was closer to Mark’s ear. “During recess this afternoon I was talking to my friend Dan Yoder. He said his folks are taking him and his sister, Becky, to see the animals at the Farm at Walnut Creek this Saturday. It’ll be just like goin’ to a petting zoo, only I bet it’ll be even better.” He grinned. “It’s gonna be a zoo-rific day!” “How nice. I’m sure they’ll have a lot of fun.” Mattie sighed. “I’ve always wanted to go there, but I guess that’s never gonna happen.” Mark grinned. “Jah, it is, Mattie. Dan invited me to go with ’em, and he said you could come, too.” “Really?” “That’s right,” Mark said with a nod. “I can’t wait till we get home so we can tell Mom about this and ask if we can go.” Mattie had never been to an actual petting zoo before, except she did get to pet some of the animals at the Geauga County Fair when they’d gone to Burton to visit Grandpa and Grandma Troyer two years ago.
