The Spring Fling Kid Lit Contest is here!
I initially drafted a flowery poem, but at the last minute I was inspired by a video of Gentoo penguins at the Detroit Zoo. It's mating season for the ground-bound birds, a time when penguins present pebbles to their partner. The Zoo Tots and Teens program found a way to make this ritual even more special.
Learn more in my entry below!
And if you're looking to enter the Spring Fling Kid Lit Contest, visit the website for more information.
Courtesy: @DetroitZoo
Pebbles are Forever
WC: 150
What is a penguin's favorite color? Polly hoped it was pink. In her zoo volunteer group, she paints a pebble. It’s a penguin wedding ring, sort of.
On the sub-Antarctic Islands, Gentoo penguins gift rocks to symbolize they want to build a family together. At the zoo, keepers encourage penguins to mimic this behavior.
Polly watches the penguin enclosure as a zookeeper tips over a bucket. A rainbow of shiny smooth pebbles cascades to the ground. Eager penguins rush in to make their choice. The first pebble chosen is glittery purple. Polly holds her breath. Maybe penguins like purple more than pink.
The second pebble picked is shiny gold. Polly bites her cheek. Why didn’t she think of gold? A pensive penguin approaches the pile. He waddles from rock to rock, stopping in front of Polly’s salmon one. Please, please, please.
The penguin squawks, securing the pebble in his beak.
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