“Just
a little Specism”
(All
rights belong to Disney and Mercer Meyer. I do not own any of the characters.
No copyright intended.)
Little
Critter and his turtle-rabbit friend Zack are excited to go to Zootopia on a
class field trip. They admire the new technology, the houses, and the various
lands there. They are even offered a chance to play at a baseball game. Little
did they know that they would be judged by the animals in Zootopia. Little
Critter is seen as a hairless ape predator and Zack as a hybrid freak with rare
genetic material. Fortunately, Judy and Nick are there to help them, but will
it be enough?
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Hi,
I am Little Critter, and I live with my mom, my dad and my little sister. I am
very excited for a class field trip today! I get dressed in my blue overalls
and my baseball cap. “Hey big brother,” my sister called. “The school bus is
here!” Sure enough, the yellow vehicle pulled in front of our house outside.
With my backpack on and my baseball bat in my bag, I was ready to go. “Oh, no, I forgot my mitt!” I thought. I
dashed back into my room, stepping over piles of clothes on the floor. I peered
under my bed, rummaged through my stuffed drawers, searched in my crowded
closet, but it was nowhere to be found. “Maybe
I should check under the bed one more time.” Just then, I heard footsteps
coming to my room. My brown and white dog bounced into the room with my
baseball mitt in his mouth. “Oh there it is,” I exclaimed with a sigh relief.
My dog dropped the mitt by my feet. “Good boy,” I said, petting him on the head
as he wagged his tail. I grabbed my stuff and headed out the door. “Bye Mom,
bye Dad,” I called out. “Have fun on your field trip!” said my mom. “Enjoy
yourself and score some home runs!” added my dad.
The
doors opened and I made my way toward the back of the bus. “Hey there, buddy!”
said a familiar voice. “Zack!” I said happily, noticing the cheerful rabbit’s
face. I sat down next to him as he finished his carrot snack. Back when Zack
first moved into the neighborhood, my baseball team rejected him because he was
a different species from the rest of us. His father is a turtle and his mother
is a rabbit, hence the reason Zack had his green and brown turtle shell on his
back. However, his unique appearance and my team’s opinions did not stop me
from becoming his best friend. Ever since then, Zack has become special among
the rest of the team and our friends. “I’m super excited about this field trip,”
I said. “It will be so fun to watch the city team play this evening!” “Yes,”
Zack agreed. We talked some more, than sat in comfortable silence. After a
moment I said, “I have a question, if you don’t mind me asking.” “What is it?”
Zack asked. “How did your parents get together?” I expected Zack to look hurt
or offended, but he just rolled his eyes, as if he was used to hearing that
question. “Since you are my friend, I will tell you. It is simple: my father
and mother fell in love, just like your parents or any other. I was hesitant to
move here, but my parents assured me that everything would be fine. I still get
homesick sometimes, but now that I think about it, I am glad I got a chance to
meet you and play on the team!” “Me too, Zack,” I agreed, before we gave each
other a high five. “Zack,” I asked again. “How is it possible that__” “And here
we are everyone!” said the bus driver as he opened the doors. “Have a good day
and watch your step.”
Zack
and I followed the students down the steps and headed for the school building. We
walked in the hallway, where other students were laughing and talking. One of
the members of our team, a koala, was excited to play some baseball at the park
before the city game. Another member, a brown hippo in a yellow outfit, was reminiscing
of the good times that we played our games when we were several years younger.
I had a feeling that he was still trying to fully accept Zack as part of our
group. I was thrust from my thoughts when I saw the guy that I thought I would
never have to see again. The other students called him “Gary the Gator.’ He was
the school bully who had picked on my little sister and I, several years ago.
Thankfully, I stood up to him, and in return, my sister stood up for me…she
gave him a hard shove and had not picked on me since.
A
brief look of surprise crossed his face, but a hungry look appeared in his eyes
when he looked at his new target: Zack. “Hey, look, it’s the newie freak
everyone is talking about!” His wolf and bull goons laughed with him, while the
other critters gave them glares. A small group of them were leaning against the
wall, watching the scene. Even though I was afraid to get picked on again, I
said “Hey, you leave my friend alone, do you understand?” “What I don’t understand
is how something like that can exist.” Zack’s long ears dropped down and the
crowd gave low boos. “Zack is not a thing,” I spat back, pointing my finger at
him. “Why don’t you pick on someone your own size, jerk.” “Yeah,” Zack joined
in. “Leave us alone!” “Or what?” he mocked. “You don’t have your sister with
you, Critter Boy.” “Do you want me to go get her for you?” I asked him. He briefly
took a step back and the crowd laughed. Gary looked at Zack again. “Half
turtle, half rabbit…that freak must be a Trabbit, get it? Trabbit?” He and his
goons burst out laughing and I clenched my fists. Zack’s face had turned red
with shame. I would not be surprised if he bent down and hid in his shell. This
time, I was going to teach that gator a lesson right here, right now. “Everyone
break it up this instant!” One of my old teachers Miss Kitty, stormed up to us,
her paws on her hips and her gray fur standing on end. She was usually sweet to
her students, but she did not tolerate any kind of cruelty. “What is going on
here?” she demanded. “Miss Kitty, Critter Boy and his friends started yelling
at me when I was getting ready for class!” “Gary insulted me and my friend
Zack!” I objected. “I do not care who started what. Bullying and yelling is not
tolerated at this school. It is your job, as students to learn new things,
respect one another, and show kindness. It is also important to have fun…and if
I see this behavior happen again, your field trip will more than likely get
cancelled.” There was a unanimous gasp from the students. “Does everyone
understand?” “Yes, Miss Kitty,” the critters answered. “Good. Now hurry off to your
classes, the field trip begins this afternoon!” “See you during the field trip,
geeks,” said Gary, before walking with his friends toward the basketball court.
Zack
hung his head as they walked to class. “Are you alright, buddy?” I asked. “Maybe
he is right, maybe I am just a freak.” “No you are not,” I said. “Those idiots
are mean to everyone. Look at all the people who like and support you. No one
else can play first base better than you.” A hint of a smile crossed Zack’s
face. “That’s true. No one else accepted me as fast as you and your family.” “Why
wouldn’t we?” I asked. “You are a cool person and fun to hang out with.” “Thank
you,” he said. “I guess I am not used to this much attention, not having any
siblings and all.” “That’s fine,” I mentioned. “My family and I will support
you no matter what.” “Hey buddy?” he asked. “Yeah?” “Last one to the classroom
buys the crackerjacks at Perry’s Parrot Stand!” “Oh it is so on!” I laughed and
we raced to the classroom.
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