Zorgamazoo by Robert Paul Weston

your head?”
Well, first you should scream. Then you should run.
Because boiling one’s head—well, it isn’t much fun.)
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    So perhaps you’d assume that Katrina Katrell
would run away screaming and yelling, as well.
But no, that was not what our heroine did.
She didn’t run off or go flipping her lid.
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    She stayed where she was. She was perfectly still.
“Sorry,” she said, “but I don’t think you will.”
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    The creature looked up. There were tears in its eyes,
while under the tears, was a look of surprise.
    â€œOh no?” said the beast, as it rose to its feet.
“Just come a bit closer. You’ll see what I eat!”
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    The creature stood up, and Katrina could see,
she barely came up to the top of its knee!
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    This creature was big . No, bigger than big,
and covered with hair like a velvety wig.
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    It had sinewy arms and a generous shape,
resembling some sort of unusual ape.
Its shoulders were sloped. Its knuckles were long.
It might well have come from the Kingdom of Kong.
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    But what made young Katrina ogle and stare,
were the ribbons and bows in the animal’s hair!
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    â€œYou’re a girl!” she exclaimed; it came out in a shout.
It was such a surprise, she just blurted it out.
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    â€œSo what,” said the beast, “and what about you?
Maybe you hadn’t noticed, but you’re a girl, too!
And girlies like you, I usually squish,
because girl à la mode is my favorite dish.
    You see, my name is Winnie. I’m a windigo beast!
I’m fiercest in all of the west— and the east!”
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    â€œOkay,” said Katrina. “Sure, I understand.”
Then she took a step forward and put out her hand.
“Well, my name’s Katrina, Katrina Katrell.
It’s a pleasure to meet you. Here’s wishing you well.”
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    â€œBah!” cried the beast. “Get away from me, kid!
You come any closer, you’ll regret that you did!”
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    â€œC’mon,” said Katrina, “you might act like a brute,
but you’re not fooling me. See, I’m pretty astute.
You’re not really so vicious, not really so bad.
Any nitwit could tell, you’re just…kinda sad.”
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    â€œOh, reeeeaaally?” said Winnie.
“And should I be impressed?
You think I’m unhappy? You think I’m depressed?!
That I lie around weeping all day and all night?
Well, listen here, missy…You’re perfectly right!”
    Winnie went back to her bellowing moans,
to her blubbers,
her whimpers,
her grumbles, and groans.
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    â€œPlease,” said Katrina, “Just cool it! Calm down!
Your tears are so thick, I could practically drown!
Just take a deep breath and try to relax.
Then tell me what happened. I’m after the facts.
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    The zorgles who live here—where did they go?
Because I’ve got a hunch that maybe you know.
Was it some sort of magic, or maybe a curse?
Were they kidnapped by pirates…
or burglars…
o r worse ?”
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    â€œThe zorgles!” wept Winnie. “I remember them well.
“My friends,” she said sadly. “Aw, gee, they were swell!
Which is why it’s so awful, about the attack.
They were eaten , Katrina. They’ll never come back!
    They ate every zorgle in Zorgamazoo!
They ate everyone up—and my family, too!
They had tentacles! Wings! They had terrible claws!
And they’ll eat us up, too, with their slobbery jaws!”
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    Before Winnie could finish, before she could try,
she stopped…because something went crackle , nearby.
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    â€œThey’re back!” Winnie sniveled. “We’re done for!
We’re doomed!
We’ll be eaten, Katrina! Devoured! Consumed!”
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    Then came a voice. It was husky and gruff.
“I found you!” It wheezed, with a huff and a puff.
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    To Winnie, Katrina seemed terribly brave,
as she held up her hand in a casual