Going Ape

The hauntings of Hans Nagel... Based on a true story with some added fiction

Going Ape                    By Sami Khalil

The haunting of zookeeper Hans Nagel

May I portray an abhorrence spawning the gamut of horror? Though by no means certain, this may cause a great deal of concern. Thus, gleaning insights from the proclivity of violence, I must clear the name of famed zookeeper Hans Nagel. For when the unknown comes to terms with facts, it speaks of deduced sinister character. 

A fixture at the zoo in Bayou city, loved by all who knew him, he wowed the young and old in his marvelous abilities to tame a menagerie of wild beasts. It goes without saying he was a daredevil, with his showmanship featured in local newspapers. Hailing from Germany (born 1892-died 1941) of Dutch ancestry, he was hired as the first director of the Houston zoo in 1925, after it was moved to Hermann Park to house a bigger selection of wild animals.

Even with his extensive expertise due to the fact he was a trainee at Hagen Beck Animal Company, he still had wounds from different attacks by them, ending up in the hospital many times. With heavy German accent, boisterous behavior, he was known for not fitting in the mold, add that with many altercations with the encroaching policemen.

One in particular was a corrupt one, a biased scoundrel, whose ties with the mafia exacted bribes from many people like Hans Nagel. With straitlaced manners, Hans finally got fed up with him, told him that it was his duty to police the zoo and not the city’s.

“We will see whose business it was policing the park.” Jack, the policeman, sped away in his car after saying that. Now this same policeman had studied on Darwin, the agility of apes and their strength. Although docile at a young age, he found out chimps become ferocious in adulthood with brute strength. Some even estimated it has the strength of several grown men.

It was a sun-drenched day at the zoo, heat beating down at the animals, Hans in “his labor of love” was tending to them. The zoo had been gentrified recently, and due to Jack’s knowledge where keys are kept, he camouflaged himself as a tourist, went behind the scenes, got the key for the apes' cage, then unlocked it letting them out.

Suddenly, dread overtook all calmness, for the chimps went on a killing spree before the police was called in to shoot every one of them. The scene was staged by Jack, for the public went into a boiling rage after blaming the zookeeper for negligence, asking for the death penalty. The chief sent Jack to arrest him, and by Han’s refusal, the policeman exacted revenge, shooting him six times then claiming it was all in self-defense. The city acquitted Jack and he went about his usual business.

No semblance of normality ever returned to the zoo, for Hans became a footnote ghost afterwards. Louder than whispers, his voice was heard from beyond the dark thoroughfares. He commanded the animals at will, sending the chimps at night to Jack’s house. Poor soul, he could not escape the jaws of death. A missive was sent to the police chief with a key in it. It had Jack’s fingerprints all over.  

  

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is a great story. It reads like non-fiction, it's so distinct & exact in plentiful details. There's a Sherlock Holmes -esque tone to the way you word things, which gives this a similar elevated observational type of reporting, rather than drama-filled storytelling. I believe your first paragraph is mental masturbation & I don't know what the hell any of it means. I know you won't (your set way of writing says loud-and-clear that you aren't likely to change anything), but I think you should trash P1 & open your great story with dynamic action (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Sami Khalil]

Hahaha. Even in reviews you are awesome. I like to get carried away in concepts sometimes for I put my mind into different gears than normal. My mood affects on those thoughts coming out. Thank you so much beloved poet for the encouragement and inspiration.

[barleygirl]

I was responding to something you wrote on a different review, saying you were too stubborn to change anything. I hardly ever change something I've written & deemed complete. I think most writers are like that.

[Sami Khalil]

Hahaha. That is so true. Even I drove my parents crazy growing up. Just forgive my responses for they are in good faith...

[Sami Khalil]

I agree with your last statement...

[Vin]

Very thoughtful writing. May I put forth one suggestion? Please change the font so that it becomes more a joy to read.
LOVE

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa. Thank you so much Vin for the review and suggestion. Might do that when I get home. Take care.

[lightsong]

Woohooo! Sami! it was very thoughtful and kind of You to start by warning us what we will read.

to ask for death penalty is/was far too much, I can't but think here how a mass of people can be lead easily using their emotions, without them even thinking with their heads, another great message You have in Your stories, and in Yours here the message was and till this day still living eating many of societies around the world (the corruption), when You can't even fond justice in law. this sends shivers to think of it as a true story!

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! So true and well said great poet and friend. You have nailed it on the head. Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to share and add value. God bless...

[Sean M. Addams]

A very detailed and fantastic story. Lots of emotion in this overall great job on this.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Thank you so much Sean Adams for this fantastic review and lovely visit. All appreciated...

[Sean M. Addams]

Anytime it is always nice to see a familiar face

[Sean M. Addams]

Anytime it is always nice to see a familiar face

[emmajoy]

What an absolutely fascinating, tragic tale this is, Sami. Have had to do erratic research in the past few days to learn more facts. Saying that, firstly that graphic is ideal though horrific in a way, for the tale, but lures the reade - this one anyway, to discover more. You've succeeded.

First the content, the man, the men, seemed strangely and publicly linked together in eternity, weird, being such different types of men.. but fate does that, doesn't it. You've made Nagel a larger than life character, as should rightly be.. a man who knew what needed to be done by an incredible instinct and heartfelt determination. As to those incredible creatures, those who men resemble from time ever.. they do in the youth what our young men can do.. break free and demonstrate their growing unreined instincts too.. but in the often wrong, wrong way.
Tis how it is, you've made that clear enough. In spite or your occasional poetic phrasing you display the power behind and within what happened. As to the winding down, to the event that caused such long-lasting hint of revenge, retribution.. perhaps it's how it should be: for the right reasons, the past should be a permanent reminder.
If I ever visit your country, would wander around the zoo on a lunar night.. must, must have some comfort - and see what can be seen, hear what might be found.
Sorry, too long a review, but your story has captured me: the Animal kingdom and its influence on Man displays a something we forget.. but never should.

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! What an amazing review and understanding of events and their meaning related to life and fate. How great you put things in perspective! I can't thank you enough. All rich blessings.

[emmajoy]

Your writing really reached somewhere special for me. As yet to research more, but i definitely will, Sami.

[emmajoy]

It's an interesting, fascinating but tragic story, Sami, and i really will follow it up with some research. Thank YOU.

[Sami Khalil]

Gracie Millee....

[ms. barrie]

“going ape” indeed! what a fascinating story wrought with
eloquence and intrigue. your gifted pen always amazes me.

it’s so great to read your ink again. ~ i look forward to
visiting your art again, soon
~ :)

[Sami Khalil]

I love it when you visit and share your greatness with us. So glad to see you again and so honored. Blessings to you.

[ms. barrie]

you’re so very welcomed, Dear Poet...always a pleasure . i hope all is well ~ :))

[ms. barrie]

...and i wholeheartedly thank you, brightest blessings 💫

[Sami Khalil]

All is well. Enjoying life and writing. All rich blessings .

[Mrudula Rani]

Dear Sami, you always select fascinating stories to tell us with wonderful style, keeping facts in mind. (I am not a fan of Zoos or circuses... I don't like animals being kept in cages like prisoners for life) you capture our interest and carry us off to the end of story. People who contemplate evil end up consumed by evil isn't it?

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! So true and well said. Thank you so much dear poet and friend for sharing that. Glad to see you still going strong...

[Mrudula Rani]

I just got back from holidays, still not gotten used to the 9 hr time difference. Thank you dear friend for your kind, comforting words.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow!................

[θεά]

Sami Khalil, author of a series of bestsellers- that is how I'd read your name. Hans Nagel, a person with a fascinating but a painfully sad story has been brought to life in your short but insightful piece. Your treatment of this write-up is with 'passionate detachment', keeping your lens as a reporter firm in its place but never for once losing sight of the plot or the reader. Jack, the avaracious, petty police-officer received his retribution and something about the phantom of Nagel makes you believe in divine (poetic?) justice of the world.

Your handling is perfection, meticulously researched, never a totalizing, roughshod method in telling a story few of us had any inkling of. Your choice of photograph is fautless- the scream of the ape foreshadows the horror and warning of human avarice and cunning. You could give Pierre Boulle a run for his money.

High time, you get published, Sami. This is top-notch!

Best,
M.

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! I'm blown away by your mesmerizing and poetic review but so excited and more energized to go ahead in this marvelous craft that we cherish. All I can say is: God bless you. You are immensely gifted in writing and understanding others.

[θεά ]

Thank you Sami. I reciprocate your wishes and sentiments.

[Chris Shaw]

What a great short story to read with my afternoon cuppa. Intriguing, and a subject I knew nothing of, so I thank you. Yes, a story of karma without doubt. I do like it when the villain gets his just desserts :)) Well conveyed Sami.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Thank you so much Christine Anne Shaw for this mesmerizing review and aromatic take on it. So glad you can enjoy with a tasty cuppa.
Maybe when we turn the story to be made into a movie about Hans, we can enjoy some popcorn too...Just kidding...Lol

[Chris Shaw]

Why not? Aim high, movies and popcorn next :)

[Sami Khalil]

Hahaha.....

[VALORMORE DE PLUME]

Karmatic ending, indeed. Enjoyed the telling of this.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You have nailed it on the hear Valormore my good friend. I'm so glad you enjoyed this write. See you soon...

[VALORMORE DE PLUME]

My pleasure dear friend.

[Sami Khalil]

:::::::;)))))))))))