Relieved Applause
Zookeepers on the other side of the enclosure had gathered, waiting nervously. When the mother and calf stepped back inside, a cheer erupted. Julia stood frozen for a moment, overwhelmed.
Then David wrapped his arms around her, whispering, “You did it.” She shook her head.
“We did it,” she corrected softly, looking down at the little calf. The zookeepers patted each other on the back, their earlier panic replaced with relief and admiration. The crisis was over.