Evie and Rhino

When 10-year-old Evie finds a large rhinoceros washed ashore, she is too concerned for its health to have time to feel intimidated. After coaxing it back to the family property, she houses it in the stables and rushes to tell her grandfather. Somewhat perplexed, he discovers that a shipment of animals bound for Melbourne Zoo was lost at sea. He contacts the authorities to let them know of the shipwreck and anonymously notifies the zoo about the rhino.

As the days progress, Evie’s bond with Rhino grows stronger and stronger. They both have trauma in their lives—Evie lost both parents in a shipwreck and hasn’t spoken for a couple of years. Rhino, meanwhile, was taken from his homeland, raised in captivity, and endured a harrowing sea journey only to be wrecked so close to land. Their respective traumas start to unravel as they begin to trust each other and their bond grows.

The arrival of a zoo representative to arrange for Rhino’s return causes anxiety all around—the whole household now loves him, especially the milking cow! However, the young man who turns up sees how important Rhino is to everyone and, knowing how the Zoo will treat him, decides to leave him in his new home.

This is a lovely, heart-warming story, woven around a kernel of truth and set in Victorian era Australia. This story shows how a deep loving bond can help overcome even the most terrible tragedy. Beautifully told and highly recommended!

loss, grief, overcoming adversity, Victorian Australia, shipwreck, exotic animals, emotional bond, zoos, animals in captivity, rivalry

Not applicable.