A Lady Hippopotamus on the Roof

Have you ever thought of having a pet hippopotamus? On your roof? Who’d even think of such a thing? Danna not only thought of it, she actually does it. She keeps a lady hippopotamus on her roof, and no one understands, no one helps her. Danna is a special little girl, and only special little girls enjoy spending their time with a hippopotamus on the roof. From the roof, Danna can look down on the world, listen to the quiet all around, and when night falls, she can count the stars. Danna is sure that the hippopotamus also counts the stars even though she can`t hear it. Down below, there’s a lot of noise and commotion. Mother turns on the vacuum cleaner, Father turns on the mixer and picks up the telephone, and the neighbors complain about Danna! Danna is also having a hard time because the lady hippopotamus keeps on growing and she has to carry more and more buckets of water up to the roof, and more and more food. Her parents try to persuade her to give up her pet, but Danna will not hear of it.
One evening, Danna is a little sad. Maybe because she finds it hard to do something so unacceptable. All of a sudden, her brother David suggests they all go up to the roof for a picnic. Mom and Dad agree, and the whole family climbs up to the roof for dinner with the hippopotamus. The hippopotamus looks very pleased.

English translation available (for publishers only)