Zara's Little Steps

Zara the red panda cub sat beside Mama in the little woodland clinic. Her striped tail curled around her feet. Today Doctor Fern would listen to her chest and look inside her ears. Zara had brought a smooth wooden rabbit from home. She rubbed its round nose with her thumb.

At first, Zara stayed on Mama's lap. The listening cup felt cool against her fur. Then Doctor Fern picked up a little ear light. Its black tip looked long and pointy to Zara. She clapped both paws over her ears.

"It will go all the way in!" she cried. "It will hurt!"

Her tummy squeezed tight. She was scared of that tip going somewhere she could not see. She tucked her face under Mama's arm. Perhaps she could hide until the ear part was over.