In the Zoo is the story of Daisy and her sister who are visiting the Denver Zoo and reminiscing. They make comparisons between the zoo's inhabitants and the people of Adams, Colorado. The two women were only small children when their parents died and Mrs. Placer took them in. Mrs. Placer has been a friend of their grandmother and the recipient of their father's insurance. The insurance benefit is a condition of fostering the two parentless children. Mrs. Placer was not well liked by the community and many considered her heartless.
The children befriended one of the community's alcoholics, Mr. Murphy. The man had a menagerie of animals that interested and entertained the two young girls. Mr. Murphy gave the girls a gift of a dog, after Mrs. Placer is convinced of.....
