Billy's Friend
by Peter Griffith
 
Billy lives in dread of his mother (who wants him to wash and to
dress neatly) and his father (who beats him if he is disobedient).
Then he meets Gerald - a tame gorilla! Billy soon finds that
Gerald is a real friend - gentle, helpful and reliable.
But none of the adults in Billy's life shares his enthusiasm for
the hairy giant. The local shopkeeper throws Billy and Gerald
out of his shop - the schoolteacher Mrs Snootly is horrified to
find a gorilla in her classroom - Billy's father is terrified - and in
the end the army are sent to kill Gerald. Where can Billy find
a home for his gorilla - a place whereGerald can live in safety?
 
Billy's Friend is a plea for tolerance towards foreigners: Gerald
has a dark skin and doesn't speak our language, but he is far
less aggressive than most human beings.