In the Jungle

As soon as I stepped into the jungle, I entered a new world. In a daze, I breathed in the aroma of flowers. A howler monkey hooted his welcome, and a scarlet macaw screeched for attention from a nearby branch. Adrenaline shot through me as I unsteadily placed one foot in front of the other on a rickety rope bridge. Glancing down, I caught a glimpse of hippos and fish frolicking in a pond. I gasped when a white bird dove into the pond, returning a moment later with a writhing fish in its beak. When I reached the other side, the curious eyes of a monkey peered at me through the dense vines. Later, I stood in the hollow behind a cascading waterfall, tossing my head back to let the water stream down my face. I was in awe of God's creation. Stepping out into the frosty winter air, I promised myself I would visit the zoo again soon.