The smell of salted hash browns wafted up my nose. I jumped out of bed and walked into the living room – breakfast was served.

I was so excited. Today was my birthday and we were going to the zoo. I wolfed down breakfast, brushed my teeth and was ready to go.

I was still buzzing with excitement as the entrance to the zoo loomed up ahead.

A bunch of fake animals sat on the gate, the giraffe towering over all the others. The sign on the gate melted my heart.

CLOSED.

I slammed my hands against the rusted greasy gate.