Pet parade

‘It’s time for the Pet Parade,’ Mrs Sindle said to her class. ‘If your pet is still outside, you had better bring it into the classroom now.

Phillip put up his hand.

‘Yes, Phillip, what’s wrong?’

‘Mrs Sindle, I think I’d better leave my pet outside. He would fight all the other pets—and probably eat them, too.’

‘Nonsense, Phillip!’ Mrs Sindle laughed. ‘There are cats and dogs and Mary has even brought her pony along. Can your pet eat a pony?’

‘Yes, Mrs Sindle.’

‘Heavens! What sort of pet is it, Philli?’

It’s a long-nosed, long-tailed, short-legged,hairless Australian Terrier,’ said Phillip, very proudly. The children all stoped and listened with their mouths open.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever heard of that animal before,’ said Mrs Sindle. ‘What is it called again?’

‘A long-nosed, long-tailed, short-legged, hairless Australian Terrier.’

‘My, my! I’m sure I don’t know that one. Does it have another name?’

‘Oh, yes, Mrs Sindle. In Africa, where it comes from, they call it a crocodile!’