Gorilla

     Gorilla!  The very word terrifies people.  They think gorillas are monsters who would like to tear them limb from limb.  And, to be sure, gorillas look frightening.  Their faces look mean.  And they are big and strong.  But the truth is, gorillas are very shy.  They don't want to eat people.  They only eat grass and leaves.  When they pound their chests, it is only to frighten the enemy.  If that doesn't work, the gorilla will just run away.

     The most famous gorilla was Gargantua the Great.  He was in the circus.  Circus posters called him "The world's Most Terrifying Living Creature."  Before he was in the circus, Gargantua belonged to a woman in New York.  She raised him from a baby.  And she thought he was very sweet.  One night it was stormy out.  Gargantua was afraid.  So he broke out of his cage.  And crawled like a frightened child into bed with the woman!  That was when she decided to give him to the circus.