A Sick Day for Amos McGee

In a small, quiet town, there lived a kind man named Amos McGee. Amos worked at the city zoo, and he was friends with all the animals. Every morning, before the sun peeked over the horizon, Amos would wake up, pack his trusty red backpack, and set off for work, waving goodbye to his tiny house filled with cozy corners and warm blankets. But today was different. As Amos lay in bed, surrounded by his books and shelves of intriguing trinkets, he felt a tickle in his throat and a heaviness in his head. “Oh dear, I think I’m coming down with something,” he said, his voice a bit scratchy. In the zoo, the animals eagerly awaited Amos’s arrival. There was the Elephant, who loved to play chess; the Tortoise, who enjoyed his slow but steady races with Amos; the Penguin, who always wanted company while waiting for the bus; the Rhinoceros, who had sensitive allergies; and the Owl, who loved a good bedtime story. But Amos didn’t come. The animals began to worry. “Where is Amos?” asked the Elephant, moving his chess pieces nervously. “Something must be wrong,” said the Tortoise slowly. “We should find him.” And so, the five friends decided to embark on an adventure. With the Elephant leading the way, they marched out of the zoo, their hearts filled with concern for their friend. When they reached Amos’s house, the Owl peered through the window with her sharp eyes. “He’s in bed! Poor Amos is sick!” she reported. The animals knew just what to do. The Elephant set up the chessboard on Amos’s bed and they played a quiet game of chess. The Tortoise challenged Amos to a race, but this time, he made sure to move extra slowly. The Penguin sat at the foot of Amos’s bed, pretending it was a bus stop, so Amos wouldn’t miss his usual company. The Rhinoceros stood guard, ready to gently nudge a box of tissues closer when needed. Finally, the Owl perched on Amos’s headboard and told him a soothing story. “Thank you, my friends,” Amos said, his voice soft but filled with gratitude. “I feel much better already.” The animals stayed with him all day, taking turns keeping him company until the sun began to set. Amos slowly drifted to sleep, the worries of his illness easing as he dreamt of sunny days at the zoo with his loyal friends. As they headed back to the zoo, the Elephant trumpeted softly, “We’ll be back tomorrow, Amos.” The Penguin waddled along, “Goodnight, Amos.” The Rhinoceros whispered through his sniffling, “Rest well, Amos.” The Tortoise, moving at his own gentle pace, added, “See you soon, Amos.” And the Owl, flying above, called out, “Sweet dreams, Amos.” With their beloved keeper fast asleep, the animals returned to their enclosures, their hearts light and happy, knowing they had brought their friend the comfort he always gave them. And in his tiny house filled with cozy corners and warm blankets, Amos slept soundly, dreaming of the adventure of the day, knowing his amazing friends were always there for him—just as he was for them.