Belinda Murrell - Aussie Kids: Meet Zoe and Zac at the Zoo

Her best friend Zac lived next door. Wild animals, like kangaroos, koalas and emus visited their gardens to feed. From the kitchen window, Zoe could spy giraffes and zebras strolling across the plain. She could even hear the roar of lions and the trumpeting of elephants. Zoe loved her home. Good morning, cried Zoe.

Good morning, sweetie, said Mum. She hugged Zoe. Her stepdad, James, was cooking. Yum, said Zoe. That smells fantastic. I thought youd need a big breakfast today, said James.

He scooped a pile of scrambled eggs onto warm toast. Ready for a busy day? asked Mum. Uh-huh, said Zoe. I cant wait. Zoe was super excited about her seventh birthday treat. Today, Mum was taking her to help at the zoo.

Zoe was wearing her junior zookeepers uniform. She had old brown shorts, a green shirt, Mums old zookeeper cap and her sturdy boots. Her backpack was filled with everything she might need for a day of zookeeping. Best of all, Zoes almost-twin Zac was coming. It was his birthday treat, too. On Wednesday, Zoe and Zac had both turned seven.

Mum said they were finally old enough to help her with the animals. Zoe was ready to go! She gulped her breakfast. Just then Zac peered around the back door with his mum. Hi Zac, cried Zoe. Hi Marlee. Toby the orphan wombat woke up and butted the side of his pen. Toby the orphan wombat woke up and butted the side of his pen.

Are you hungry, Toby? asked Zoe. Toby grunted. Tobys always hungry, said Zac. Zoe fetched a carrot. She poked it through the bars. The wombat crunched it up.

Chunks of carrot flew all over the floor. Zoe laughed. Lets go, said Mum. We have lots more hungry animals to feed. Zoe and Zac jumped up. What amazing animals would they look after today?

The warm breeze smelled of gum trees and dried grass. Mum drove the jeep with the animal food in the back. Lots of visitors rode past on bicycles. I cant wait to feed the giraffes and cuddle the meerkats, said Zoe. I cant wait to feed the elephants and cuddle the lions, said Zac. We wont be cuddling any lions today, said Mum.

Or you might be their dinner! Zac gulped. Zoe giggled. Mum laughed. First stop was the lions. They lived in a large enclosure like the African plains. Mum had an esky full of meat.

The father lion roared. Zoe covered her ears. Coming, Zulu, said Mum. Be patient. Six young lions charged for their breakfast. But the mother lioness turned away.

She growled and stalked off towards the trees. Amalis not hungry, said Zac. Lions are always hungry, said Zoe. Thats strange, said Mum. Maybe shell come soon. Mum fed the lions through a special chute in the safety fence.

They growled and snarled. Can I give them some meat? begged Zac. Please? Mum nodded with a smile. For a birthday treat. Come and stand right next to me. Zac put a chunk of meat in the chute and closed the hatch.

The chunk plopped down on the other side. Two young lions raced towards the fence. They grabbed the meat and pulled, like playing a game of tug of war. Zulu roared again. Zac could feel hot lion breath on his face. Amali still hasnt come, said Zoe.

Mum looked around. Maybe shes scared of Zulu, said Zac. Hes fierce . Well come back later and check on her, said Mum. Weve lots to do.

Mum carried a bale of hay. Zac and Zoe carried another. They climbed up onto the viewing platform to feed the animals. Nala, one of the giraffes, galloped over followed by her calf. Kanzi butted his mother with his head, then tripped over his own skinny legs. Kanzis so clumsy, said Zac, pretending to be a goofy baby giraffe.

Zoe giggled. Hes just a baby, she said. Hell soon be as fast as his mum. Zoe scooped up a crunchy carrot for Nala. The giraffe curled out her long, blue tongue and took the treat.