Eva's Counting Lesson

Eva's Counting Lesson

The gathering would be at the oasis, on Mr. Snappy’s favorite flat rock under the wide spread acacia tree. Mr. Snappy, a very old snapping turtle, knew most of the animals in the area. He also knew that at least two of the invited guests liked visiting the acacia tree. Charlie Cheetah loved it’s long branches. Jerome Giraffe and his brother Calvin, enjoyed brief nibbling of the leaves at the very top. Also invited were Olivia Ostrich and Ms. Zelda Zebra. This same group had helped Ellie Elephant when she was learning to count. Ellie was four years old now, and her little sister Eva was two and learning to count. Ellie, never tired of helping her little sister, arranged with Mr. Snappy for the gathering. Eva was shy and easily frightened.

Mr. Snappy’s stern voice sounded “Okay all of you, please listen. Now, I know you don’t like Charlie, Ms. Zelda, but Jerome here will keep between the two of you. Olivia, there’s some nice grass seed over at the edge of the grassland. Charlie, if you want to stay on that branch you have to show all four of your legs without falling on top of us. Now girls, you can start with Ms. Zelda and Olivia so they can leave when you’re done counting."

Ellie gently nudged Eva with her trunk toward Ms. Zelda. “Come on - you can do this! Ms. Zelda has got such pretty legs. See how she's lifting them daintily to help you count?" (Eva knew that Ms. Zelda was just showing off.)

“Okay” Eva said in a tiny elephant voice. “One - two - three - four”

Stamping her front legs, and rearing up, Ms. Zelda flipped her glossy black mane and tail, and without a backward glance, was gone, hoping that Charlie wasn’t paying attention. 

“Can I count Mr. Giraffe’s legs next?  I like him.”

“Is that okay, Ms. Ostrich.”

"Of course, dear. I have much lovely ground to cover."

“Okay, Eva, come with me.”

Eva walked all around Jerome counting his tall knobbly kneed legs “Five - Six - Seven - Eight”

When Eva was finished, Jerome bent his long neck down to meet Eva’s tiny trunk so she could plant a baby elephant kiss on his soft brown snout.

“Do I have to count Mr. Cheetah? What if he pounces on me and eats me up?”

“I won’t let him hurt you, little one” Jerome’s rumbly, grumbly voice was really directed at Charlie who, chin on paws, turned his head away from the little gathering.

Mr. Snappy barked  “Charlie put your paws where we can see them and pull your tail up.”

Staying very close to Ellie and Jerome, and looking up at Charlie's velvety paws, Eva’s tiny voice counted again - “nine - ten - eleven - twelve”.

Charlie yawned, stretched and went back to sleep, his long golden tail drooping down almost to the ground once more.

Olivia Ostrich, keeping her distance from the acacia tree and Charlie, lifted her head from the ground where she had been pecking and picking up seeds. She strode regally to Eva on her long black legs and, speaking gently to Eva, said “Now dear, it’s my turn.” 

Eva looked at Ellie, a question in her eyes. “But she’s only got two legs.”  

“Yes, but remember how far you’re counting today - two numbers past twelve.”

“OK” Haltingly, Eva finished up her count. “Thirteen? - Fourteen?”

“Yay!” Ellie trumpeted, follow by cheers from the others - except Charlie who merely said - “You’re ok, kid.”