Feeding Time

By Daniel Hagan

Elephants haven’t been on the premises since 2005, the zookeeper tells us. Guests were generally more interested in the penguin feedings anyway, in the gorillas and crocodiles and Australian walkabout. He says it has been that way forever.

I glance at my wife with a growing sense of incredulity. We weren’t brought here for a history lesson. In fact, being here is not our choice at all. I recognize that look in her eye, the way her stripes sizzle with relentless hunger. By the time this bozo slides raw carcass through the metal slat, she’ll snatch his right arm for dessert.