Joy of Medina County Magazine | February 2022
13
THE READING NOOK
Forever Friends photos and story by Janine Smalley
I
t was a warm and sunny day at the farm.
None of the animals wanted to be inside on such a beautiful day. Looking around, the animals could be seen happily enjoying their morning while soaking up the warm rays of the sun. The chickens were flapping their wings and cluck, cluck, clucking with delight as they pecked the corn off the ground. Stanley and Walter, known as the turkey boys to all of their friends, were marching around like they owned the entire farm, laughing and chuckling away. The pigs were digging in the mud for any little morsel they could find. Even though the pigs had just finished eating their breakfast, there was always room for some more good snacks in their bellies. They happily spent their days rooting their noses in the soil, pushing it all around, just looking for little crumbs.
Pippin soaks in the sun.
Down the long gravel drive, a trailer was being pulled toward As usual, the goats were up to no good. They were running the barn. Coming from the back of the trailer, Pippin could hear around, leaping and jumping from one of their play-yard toys to what sounded like another goat, and it sounded sad. another. Henry, Gomer and Biscuit, the troublesome trio, were Pippin walked over to the fence and pushed his nose through jumping on top of their houses, grabbing leaves and branches to get a good smell. Yes, he thought, that is another goat, I have from the trees, and doing goat gymnastics for all to see. to meet it and be its friend. Everyone was so happy to be out and enjoying the amazing Out of the back of the trailer walked a small, skinny goat with day. But, as the farmer looked around, someone was missing, a really bad hairdo. He was kind of funny looking, Pippin Pippin the goat was nowhere to be found. thought. But that does not matter, he looks like he might need a Concerned, the farmer started looking all over for him. She friend. looked inside each of the animal’s houses, in the barn and in Pippin heard the farmer talking to the big person who was the shed. But, as much as the farmer looked, Old Man Pippin driving the truck. It sounded like this funny-looking goat was was not in any of them. found all alone and absolutely did need a friend. Then, out of the corner of the farmer’s eye, she spotted him Did the farmer get me a friend? Pippin thought to himself. She standing in the corner, looking out the gate with a sad look in did, she did, she did! He bleated with glee. She did get me a his eyes. All Pippin wanted was a friend, someone to love him friend! and run and play with him. Pippin immediately perked up and went over to the gate to A couple of weeks earlier, Pippin had come to live on the farm, meet his new friend, Billy Ray. after his brother had moved away from where they lived Billy Ray came into the pasture to meet Pippin and all of the together. Pippin was lonely. other animals there. He didn’t feel like he fit in with anyone on the farm. He was He had no idea what to make of the farm, as he had never much older than the other goats, he was much wiser and he seen other animals before. He was nervous and afraid and did didn’t move around as fast. Old Man Pippin just wanted to not know what to do first. enjoy his days in the sun with a friend and have someone to But, no worries, Pippin walked up to Billy Ray and started snuggle with at the end of the day. showing him all around the farmyard. Little did Pippin know that things were about to change. continued, Page 14
