It was a beautiful day, blue skies, the sun glowing with its radiant heat.
A great day for a road trip, as I said to myself.
So, I grabbed my sunglasses, a light jacket, car keys and off I go.
I was a few hours into the trip and noticed I needed fuel for the car, so I see a sign "Fuel next exit".
As I pull off the highway, I see another sign saying, "Welcome to Animal Ville".
At the first crossroad intersection I hear sirens at a distant, so I pull my car over to the side of the road.
As they went flashing by, I noticed the weirdest thing, I've ever seen!
A fire truck, red in color, but full of elephants all suited up to fight fire.
Ok, curiosity had the best of me by now, so I followed the truck to the fire.
As they turned off the road towards the fire, I see a house on fire!
The elephants getting out of the fire truck grabbing picks, shovels and a few hoses!
Other elephants were using their trunks as hoses to extinguish the flames, which in part brought the flames to a smolder.
The police pulled up not too much after the fire started, two guys got out of the squad car, they weren't like you or me.
They were monkeys, uniforms, badges and all!
Questions were asked, names were taken.
The fire was finally out, and nobody was hurt, none in the house either.
The neighbors saw someone right before the fire and he disappeared into the trees!
A couple hours had gone by with the police looking around the neighborhood, finally in the trees they see something swinging from the branches.
They found the suspect, Rocky Racoon, with a mask of black over both eyes and the matches in his hand.
Why did you do it Rocky? He said with a grin, Rocket Rabbit made me do it!
We were out drinking and raiding the gardens the night before, then started playing cards with He Cliff the Crow and Mad Dog Chihuahua.
I started losing the game and they then bet me that I couldn't torch the vacant house down the street.
Well Rocky that was the wrong thing to do, so they cuff and stuff him into the squad car and off to jail they take him!
Wow, I thought to myself, this is weird! I better get some gas and get back on the road again before the day ends.
As I pull up to the fuel station to fill my car, I see a sign saying cafe, next corner., I was getting a bit hungry too.
As I fueled up my car, I walk up to the station to pay for my gas, I open the door and go inside.
There standing next to the cash register was the manager, I blinked my eyes twice, I couldn't believe what I was seeing, a giraffe with a hunchback and talking to me.
Is fuel all you wanted, want the oil checked? I said yes and no.
He had heard about the fire and asked about it, asking if I had stopped to watch it as they put the fire out, I said yes, I did and it was all under control.
I paid for my fuel, got back into my car and thought about that cafe again, well I am hungry, time to grab a bite to eat.
I pulled into the cafe parking lot, some kids were coming out and hopping into a truck, I had to look twice again and shake my head in disbelief, it was four Porcupines dressed in hats and vests.
What am I to say on what I saw?
Inside the cafe I find a seat, sat down and grabbed a menu to look at.
The waitress comes over to my table with a glass of water and asked what I wanted and read off the specials.
I look up and she's a Mallard Duck, with bright orange feet and an apron of white!
I said a burger and fries please, hold the ketchup please.
That got me to wondering, who could the cook be?
I get up and ask where the restroom is at and excuse myself.
I glanced up and peaked towards the kitchen and what did I see, a Bison, cooking my burger for me!
Dressed in a pullover apron and a bandana on his head, he clanged the bell and yelled "Order up"!
As I went back to my table the waitress brought me my burger and fries, asked me if there was anything else she could get me, I said no thank you, this will be just fine.
I ate my meal, paid my bill, left the cafe and walked to my car.
I started thinking to myself, Holy Molly, what a trip, nobody will ever believe this!
As I got onto the highway, I had driven a few more hours and miles and realized I had better get some fuel before I head back home.
I noticed a sign up ahead, what's this I see?
Bug Ville, three miles, gas, food and sleep.
Was I in for a surprise or was this really a dream?
Michael VanDyke @C 2025
