Pass it on to the next generation

Yesterday we made our weekly pilgrimage to visit the cutest animal in the world. We were well rewarded for our efforts- we saw the cutest animal in the world and the Mrs. cutest animal in the world. We saw her eat her apple. Her little tongue was pink. She is pigeon-toed. So cute. It was breathtaking. I'm pretty sure that their poop is pink, shaped like hearts and smells like strawberries, and makes a cute little "plink" noise when it exits their cute little bottoms.

Funniest comment overheard- at the penguin tank, a little girl was walking away, and said, " I don't ever want to be a penguin!"

Funniest reaction- when we were in the dark bat house, a little boy took a look at the big bat in the window as it stretched out its wings. He had a total meltdown. He had to leave. Betcha he has nightmares for the rest of his life about bats, Marilyn Manson, and goth chicks.

We saw a disturbing example of blossoming girlhood. She was wearing a pink terry outfit that would've been more appropriate for her grandmother, and little black slides that would've been more appropriate for a Victoria's Secret shoot. She was about 12 or so- judging from her face and her relative height. But then comes the distressing part. Her body from the neck down. Let's say that she was blossoming in a very public way. And damned proud of it, from the way she was shoving them out there. Her bum was also getting that not very 12 year old look. It was scary. She looked like she had abandoned her teen years physically, and was chasing 40. And winning the race. She reminded me very much of the scariest girl in the 8th grade. She was more physically advanced than any of us. And strangely sexual. She was in the talent show- and did a solo dance. She was shaking her knockers all over the place, and if there had been a pole, would've probably hopped on board. The kids teased her mercilessly- having her rehearse her dance in the schoolyard at lunch.

Then came the day of the show. She did her dance. I wish I could remember the song. But it didn't matter. She was in a dress without underwear of any kind. No bra. No knickers. Just high kicking and shaking it for all of us to behold. Then she sat on her daddy's lap in the audience afterwards. I was stunned. Still am, actually. Not long after, she wasn't in school anymore. I have no idea where she went. Hopefully a better place. For very disturbed young things.

The little zoo girl had a distressingly similar vibe going on. I only hope that my perception was colored by proximity to the cutest animal in the world, and that I am wrong. It was strange, though...