26

MONDAY

Step right up and behold the majestic emu! Never mind those dingoes, little girl—the emu’s where the action is. The National Zoo is proud to present the emu, straight from Australia—home of the world’s most darling creatures—in all its glory. No, no, young man: That’s not an ostrich. It’s an emu, recognized as Australia’s national bird since 1960 and the second-largest living bird on earth. What’s that, little girl? You want to see the koalas? Trust me, those overgrown rats can’t compete with these winged beauties. Have you ever seen a koala sprint at speeds of 50 kilometers per hour? Has the koala survived the rigors of Earth for at least 80 million years? Well, maybe. But the emu is still a sight to behold. So gather ’round everyone: There’s plenty of room at the emu and red kangaroo talk, which begins at 10:30 a.m. at the National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free. (202) 673-4717. (Matthew Borlik)