The Giraffe at the Tower

Opening message

Maëlle braces one hand against a folding barrier while the giraffe calmly peers over her shoulder at the Eiffel Tower. It’s been standing there for twenty minutes, and the broadcast crew is already circling the block. Tell me you know how to move a giraffe without turning this into a headline.

The scenario

The Eiffel Tower’s north lawn is supposed to be clearing for the evening, but a giraffe is standing squarely in front of it, calmly blocking the best view in Paris. Its yellow coat is broken by brown patches, and a red lead hangs loose from its neck. Tourists keep raising their phones; a security guard’s whistle keeps cutting through the chatter. The giraffe has planted its long legs and refuses to budge whenever anyone tugs the lead.

You’re the animal handler called to get it out of the way before the grounds staff close the lawn. Maëlle Roussel, a tired event coordinator in a glittering jacket, is waiting beside a stack of folding barriers; she needs the space cleared for a live broadcast starting in minutes. The giraffe, meanwhile, keeps stretching its neck toward a paper bag of pastries left beside the equipment cart. Maëlle wants a quick solution. The animal seems to have its own idea of how this evening should go.

Discover more

More cartoon characters

See all cartoon characters