For a long time no one knew what to call Bob. Now and then a mall worker would try to approach him with a tidbit. "Here, doggie," they'd call, holding out a French fry.

Tidbit most likely means

Stella had to balance on a pedestal for her most difficult trick. One day, she fell off and injured her foot. When she went lame and lagged behind the other elephants, the circus sold her to Mack.

Lame most likely means

"Humans reek," Bob replies. "They just don't notice because they have incompetent noses."

Incompetent most likely means

Gorillas don't have any use for tails. Our feelings are uncomplicated. Our rumps are unadorned.

Unadorned most likely means

At the big top mall, no one bothers with iron shackles. A bristly roped tied to a bolt in the floor is all that's required.

Shackles most likely means

Stella once teased me that elephants are superior because they feel more joy and more grief than apes.

Grief most likely means

Stella's trunk is a miracle. She can pick up a single peanut with elegant precision, tickle a passing mouse, tap the shoulder of a dozing keeper.

Precision most likely means

My pictures are scattered all over the floor like huge autumn leaves. "What a mess," George says, sighing. "Wish I hadn't bothered sweeping tonight." She stares at her feet, where my pictures lie in disarray.

Disarray most likely means

They are a contented group, placid and good-natured, although, like any family, they bicker from time to time.

Placid most likely means

Having young ones is a big responsibility. You have to teach them how to take mud baths, of course, and emphasize the importance of fiber in their diet.

Emphasize most likely means

"I'm here, Stella." I sit up abruptly, and Bob topples off my stomach.

Abruptly most likely means