There once was a chimpanzee named Annie who lived on a beautiful hillside with nine of her chimpanzee friends. One day Annie and her friends were all out on the Hill. Everyone went inside to their cozy warm Green House. Annie decided to stay out and go on her own adventure, this time without her very best friend Missy. As Annie walked around she came across a very tall tower, known as the Twister. Annie climbed and climbed until she reached the tippy top. After a moment of taking in the smoky view and feeling quite proud of her accomplishment. Annie quickly realized she would have to climb down this very tall twister. Feeling alone without her dearest friend Missy, she began to worried and let out a few big screams. She screamed out to her friends in hopes that they would hear her. Annie being the brave chimp she is, mustered up the courage to climb down. Meanwhile, Missy zipped up the Hill as fast as she possibly could to find her dear friend Annie. After Missy found Annie and gave her reassurance they went back inside to unwind after Annie’s solo adventure.
This is my personal interpretation of this story. Only Annie really knows why she got scared at the top of the Twister. For JB and Diana who could only hear the screaming, thought snake, and came to make sure this was not true! While JB and Diana came sprinting up Chad and I observed the events unfolding while eating our after cleaning/we served lunch Popsicle.
Here is what we know:
1. Annie climbed to the top.
2. She seemed at peace for a moment
3. Annie began to exhibit nervous behavior
4. Annie started screaming
5. Missy sprinted to Annie and all was fine.
Here are some scenario that could be why Annie reacted the way she did:
1. Maybe she saw a snake from that bird’s eye view (Annie hates snakes)!
2. Maybe the cattle startled her.
3. Annie could have been nervous to climb down.
4. She could see any animal or heard any sound from up there!
5. Maybe she just felt like it.
We will never actually know. But I guess what we do know is that us caregivers are still a little on edge, insert emoji smiling and sweat drip on face.
Annie on top of the Twister.
Annie becomes pilo.
She starts hooting.
And begins screaming.
On a side note, Burrito is also doing very well and is enjoying his Jody hangout sessions very much. Have a great night everyone!
Kelsi, you’re a fantastic [true] storyteller. I remember as a kid, there was a cherry tree in the back yard next to the garage. One summer I decided to climb it to get on the roof. I was so proud and adventurous having done so. Now to climb down. Yeah, right. Easier said than done. I’ll stop here and say I would go with the 3rd scenario, the nervousness to climb down. I can relate with Annie. I got down and so did Annie.
Thank you John! You are absolutely right, easier said than done! I can think of a few scenarios in my life too 🙂
Never a dull moment at CSNW! Good job they’re all so lovable and cute. Great news about Burrito too….and Jody keeping him company. Are they getting extra treats? They could play this out for ages if that’s the case!
Burrito was already on the “Burrito and Foxie get more” plan! 😀
Burrito has been eating well, so he is back on his normal food schedule. Though he does get yogurt or apple sauce from time to time to make meds more appealing! So if Jody is hanging out with Burrito she gets a snack too! 🙂
I just love the friendship between Annie and Missy. I think Missy would go through Hell or high water if Missy needed her. I love when they lay down side by side and one reaches out to hold the other’s hand. They are so sweet.
Annie is such a beautiful soul. She is so lucky to have Missy to take care of her!
Oh poor Annie. Clearly something tweaked her sensitive nature. Luckily she has Missy to come to her rescue — and Diana and JB too! Something tells me you will all be on pins and needles for some time to come. That includes staff and chimps. Sending everyone big hugs, hang in there….
Thank you, Kathleen. Yes, I think we humans need a little more time to recover! I wish I was as resilient as the chimps!
Poor Annie…Maybe after having climbed aLLL that way to the top of the Twister, she had a temporary case of the vapors, worrying for a moment she had accidentally climbed to the top of the “Leaning Tower of Pisa”…
Seriously, this is such a poignant example of the power of Chimpanzee friendship & their sense of family… (or community)…It speaks to my heart so tenderly…
wow, Annie goes up top at the twister! Even Jamie doesn’t do that, right? She looks like queen of all she sees up there.
Kelsi, is there a hole in the center that they climb up through, or do they have to clamber over the side?
She really does look like a queen on her thrown! Jamie, Annie, and Missy can be found up there, but not all that often. On occasion Jamie has us sit in the hot sun and she sits up there, but usually sits on the firehose under the platform in the shade 🙂 There is a hole cut out to climb through.
Great storyteller, Kelsi. I have a feeling she was afraid to come down, but I know we’ll never know. I can just imagine the panic on JB and Diana thinking someone else got bit by a rattlesnake.
Thank you Elaine! Yes, I think it will be a little while before the humans settle down from this 🙂
Isn’t it nice to have a good friend in times of distress? Such a sweet story. Even though we don’t know exactly what was to blame for Annie’s issue, Missy came to her friends aid.
The treasure of friendship is the measure of contentment. . . and vise versa I guess… I can only imagine the stress coursing through your veins in response to her screams… it makes my heart race.. hugs to ya’ll