Melanie and Ned were brother and sister. They were going on a field trip with two other classes, so there were over 90 children. But there were only two adults because two other adults cancelled at the last minute and the teachers couldn't find replacements. They did not want to disappoint the kids, so they went anyway. Everything looked disorganized. Most of the kids were running around the zoo, and the teachers looked hurried.

Melanie and Ned started wandering away from the group. They were looking at the animals. They saw a lot of their favorites, including lions and pandas. They were staring at the pandas for almost a minute when Ned suddenly said, "I want to look at the snakes."

"But we have to go. The parks near closing time," Melanie protested.

"We'll only be a minute. Don't worry, we'll get back in time," assured Ned.

The snake pens were at the very end of the zoo. In their eagerness to get there, they didn't hear the announcement that the zoo was closed nor did they notice the people streaming towards the exit.

When they found the snakes, the area was deserted. The snakes hissed at them like a warning to stay away. Melanie finally noticed the silence around them and beckoned Ned to follow her. She quickly ran toward the entrance gates. It was locked and nobody seemed to be around.

"Oh, now we're stuck. I can't believe this is happening. We need to find a way out!," screamed Melanie.

Ned walked over to the lions' cage and said, "You guys would know a way out, right?"

Suddenly a low voice answered him, "Yes we do."

Melanie turned and stared.

"But were not very good talkers. You should ask the elephants," the lioness said and moved away.

"Thanks," Ned said, looking not the least bit surprised. He started walking over to the elephants' cage followed meekly by Melanie.

When they got there most of the elephants were asleep. A baby calf walked over to them and not surprisingly asked what they wanted.

"Do you know of any other exits aside from the front gates?" asked Ned.

"Yes we do. It's called the back door. It's right next to the snake's pen, but he might give you some trouble."

The elephant walked over to his mother wishing them good luck. Melanie and Ned took some time to get to the snakes. They couldn't see very well in the dark and most of the lightbulbs in the lamps were broken.

When they finally came to the small cages, sure enough there was a door that looked like it led outside. Melanie tried the door.

"Sheesh! It's also locked!" she exclaimed in dismay. Melanie was near tears.

"Don't worry, we'll get out of here!" Ned said calmly. He walked over to the snake's pen.

"Hello. Isn't the park closed already?" a hissy voice asked.

"Yes, it is. But we accidentally got locked in. The elephants told us that there was a back door here that we can use to get out. But it's locked. Do you happen to know where the keys are?" Ned replied and asked.

"Yes I do. But before I tell you, will you get me some eggs?" asked the snake.

Melanie had been looking on silently, but now her confusion turned to anger, for she really wanted to get out of there.

"Look, if you don't tell us where the key is, you'll be eating eggs in heaven!," she screamed in fury.

"Okay, okay. The keys are hanging on a peg in that shed over there. Now leave me alone," he begged.

"Thanks!" Ned said, dragging Melanie away before she could say anything else.

They found the keys, unlocked the door and left quietly. They walked slowly back to their house, talking about almost everything, except what had just happened.