Winning a Giraffe Called Geoffrey by Hazel Edwards Page B

duck dived. On the bottom, the pool was greeny-blue. There was lots of room for a giraffe’s legs. Art whooshed to the top, the water fizzing in his nose.
    Geoffrey should fit here, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. But could giraffes swim?
    â€˜Hey Art!’
    â€˜Not you again!’ Art ducked under the water. India chased him, making big splashes.
    â€˜Clear off!’ he yelled.
    â€˜It’s a free country.’
    I thought India was a country.’
    India just grinned. She shook her long, wet hair. Drops of water hit him in the eyes.
    â€˜I thought Art was a subject.’
    â€˜Why did your parents give you such a dumb name?’
    â€˜They came from India. They get homesick,’
    The two children fooled around in the water.
    â€˜I won a giraffe,’ blurted Art. Then he was sorry he told her.
    â€˜A giraffe?’ India’s brown eyes widened. Then she laughed. “Oh yeah. Just like that spy parrot you told me about. The one who squawked messages in code.’
    Art squirmed in the water. India remembered everything. The spy parrot had been a good idea he made up. But the giraffe was real.
    â€˜It’s a prize. I won it. In the Annie’s Amazing Animal Cookies Competition.’
    â€˜Where are you going to keep it?’
    â€˜Dunno yet. At home somewhere.’
    â€˜What’s it called, your giraffe?
    â€˜Geoffrey.’
    India laughed and showed her even, white teeth She had enough teeth to start renting them out. ‘Giraffes eat acacia leaves don’t they?’ India read books for fun. Her head was full of left-over facts.
    â€˜The pet shop didn’t know what giraffes eat. They’ve got kennels where animals can stay. But they don’t keep giraffes,’ said Art.
    â€˜Or elephants, or zebras or lions or…’India splashed him.’ And you don’t either. I bet you one hundred dollars.’
    â€˜A hundred dollars!’ That was worth more than twenty teeth. ‘Shake?’ If she shook, she’d have to pay. Art put out his wet hand and nearly sank. He spluttered, the water going down the wrong way.
    India looked at the clock.
    â€˜Nearly 5 o’ clock. Got to go.’ She dashed into the girls’ changing rooms without shaking Art’s hand for the bet.
    Art scrambled out, pulling jeans over his wet togs and got to the turnstile, just as India was leaving.
    â€˜Hey wait! Shake hands on it.’
    In his head, Art had a one hundred dollar pictures.
    â€˜It’s got to be a real, LIVE giraffe. When does it come?’
    India shook hands, but her eyes didn’t believe him.
    â€˜On Friday. About 5 o’ clock. They’re taking a photo.’
    â€˜I’ll be there.’
    Outside, India untied her dog from the bike rack. Tiny wasn’t tiny. But his rainbow coloured dog-jacket was. India said he felt the cold. And since he was a singing dog, he had to keep his chest warm. ‘Happy Birthday’ is his latest song ,’ said India proudly. ‘Come on Tiny. Sing.’
    Tiny put back his head and howled.
    Art took a step backwards.
    â€˜Is he singing yet? Or is he just practicing?’ Art wasn’t sure.
    â€˜Don’t know much about music, do ya, Art. I’m going to rent him out for birthday parties,’ said India proudly as she patted Tiny.
    â€˜What does Tiny eat?’ asked Art. The way Tiny sang, guests might leave in a hurry and he could eat all the party food.
    â€˜Everything!’ India tugged on the lead. ‘That’s why he has to be kept on this.’
    Art stepped back. ‘D’you reckon a giraffe would eat much?’
    India nodded. ‘Trees of food.’
    Art frowned. What kind of trees? Some people keep sheep to eat the grass. Could he get Geoffrey to mow the lawn instead of him? Getting the money to feed Geoffrey could be a problem too.

    â€˜What’s the tallest mammal?’
    â€˜The giraffe.’
    Art turned quickly. The T.V. quiz