The wait ended as the bus, arranged by the District Council for Child Welfare (DCCW), arrived and the kids' journey that gave them an opportunity to have a ball of a time.

On reaching the zoo, the DCCW staff had a tough time controlling the bunch of kids who stood there with an evident imploring expression. Many were seeing their favourite animals for the first time like 12-year-old Kamla, who had seen a tiger only in movies.

Same was the case of Suman and Geeta of the same age group who had come only to see a tiger. However, it wasn't to be as the tigers were "unfortunately" having a siesta and left the little girls disappointed.

However, for Punam it was a worthwhile visit as she could see the Himalayan Bear. As this reporter was talking to the kids, a bright looking 10-year-old Vikram joined the group trying to grab attention. On being asked how he was enjoying the day, he asked: "Bhaiya, can I stay here with the animals." For Nekpal, too, it was a whole new experience.

District Child Welfare Officer Anita Arvind, who was accompanying the 133 children, explained that it was a part of the recreational activities of the Rs 2.96 crore "Street Working Children Project" that provided them free education, health and recreation facilities. She said that the Council arranged such outings regularly.

The children, who looked like any other school children, had been given a bath yesterday and provided with new shoes and clothes donated by the students of a Chandigarh-based school and the lunch had been provided by a Panchkula-based restaurant.

The most enthralling part of the outing was the lion safari that had many wanting to get out of the bus and have a closer look at the king of the jungle.

After having a round of the zoo, it was time for songs, dance and a laughing competition that fetched one of them a prize. The return journey was equally zealous but as the bus approached the jhuggis most of them became sad. Many of the kids had to be pulled out of the bus as they wanted to go back.

But, surely the outing filled happiness in their life even if it meant just for a day.