Menagerie, a Child's Fable Study Guide

Mr. Tilford, the pet shop owner, is a cruel man who views animals as nothing more than profit. He is a stubborn, hot-tempered drunk, who lives alone. He is also described as senile because he often mistakes gunshots that he hears on television for real gunfire. In spite of Tilford's unpleasant nature, in Berkeley's younger years he craved the owner's approval. Now that he is older, he simply does his job and has no expectations of his work being appreciated. One night Berkeley hears Tilford leave and he becomes concerned, realizing that it is too early to close the shop. Berkeley walks into the storage room to see if Tilford left his nightly meal but finds his bowl empty. (read more)