"Hello, Dr. H the third. I'm Rufus, Heckery Dekkery Dog, traveling reporter at large. Everyone calls me Rufus," Rufus replied.
"Cool, Rufus! You may call me Peace Hippo. What brings you here, er, little buddy?"
"I want to learn about endangered animals. I'm on assignment, and I'm writing a special report on them. Are you endangered?"
"Well, I guess I am," said Peace Hippo. "Hang out with me for a while––find out for yourself. I'll introduce you to my friends. Are you going to China? I want to go someday."
"Yes," Rufus shook his head up and down. "I'm going there next. Come with me."
"Groovy!" answered Peace Hippo. "You look warm. Come on. I'll show you the pool! That's where I hang out during the day. Hippopotami are graceful in the water. I'll introduce you to Flower Power. She's hip! Do you dance?"
Rufus was all ears! He loves to dance, but he could hardly believe what he had just heard. "Hippopotami are graceful in the water? They look rather clumsy on land, given their size and all," he thought aloud.
Flower Power was eavesdropping. "Hey, man, er, ahem, doggie! That is just NOT cool! Have you ever seen a hippo enjoying a milkshake and an extra jumbo french fries? No, sir! We eat salad––plants––without the salad dressing!"
"I didn't know plants could be so fattening," Rufus thought––to himself this time!
YOU ARE READING
PEACE, HIPPO! and Other ENDANGERED ANIMALS Too!
Non-Fiction[This is an excerpt from the published book--The Preface and pages 1 through 13.] This story combines facts, a little fantasy, lots of heart, and some humor. Rufus is a little dog on a big mission. After overhearing a discussion about the endangered...
