Amelia Bedelia’s father called the zoo immediately to let them know that their lost monkey had been found. Her mother and Mrs. Shauk kept the other kids back while Amelia Bedelia baby-stepped toward it, banana in hand.

“He’s happy as long as he’s eating bananas,” said Amelia Bedelia.

Her mother raced to the kitchen and brought back every banana they had.

In minutes, a team from the zoo rushed into the driveway carrying nets and a travel crate. When they saw their monkey in a car seat, happily munching on a banana, they relaxed a bit. The television news team arrived soon after that, and then the director of the city zoo. Amelia Bedelia posed with both monkeys, the real one and the one from the gift shop. Then she handed a banana to the real monkey, and everyone saw how he peeled it.

The news team interviewed Amelia Bedelia and her friends, filmed their pets, and toured the exhibits. A reporter interviewed the zoo director about the backyard zoo and Mrs. Shauk about all of the great things her students had done.

“I love these Be an Animal exhibits,” said the director. “This is just what our zoo needs!” He invited Mrs. Shauk and her class back to the zoo to talk about their ideas.

Mrs. Shauk turned to Amelia Bedelia. “Here is the person with the big imagination,” she said. “Congratulations, Amelia Bedelia. I will have to eat crow.”

“Please don’t,” said Amelia Bedelia. “I’d rather have a crow in my zoo than in your stomach.”

Finally it was time to take the monkey back to the zoo. Amelia Bedelia sat down beside him and gave him one last banana. He peeled it in a flash. But instead of gobbling it down, he offered it to her.

“Thanks,” she said. “For everything.” She patted him on the top of his head. It felt warm, and his hair was wiry, not like her toy monkey at all.

“Good night, little monkey,” she said.

Beep! Beep!