A Day at the Farm
Suzy is visiting today. She is at her grandparent's house. They live on a farm. Suzy has been there since yesterday. Suzy likes visiting her grandparents. Suzy's grandparents like when Suzy visits.
Last night Grandma gave Suzy some hot chocolate. Suzy added fresh cream from the cows. She listened to Grandma tell stories. Suzy began to feel sleepy. Grandma put Suzy to bed.
This morning Suzy is up very early. The sun is not even up yet. It is still sleeping. Suzy does not know why she is up so early. The sounds of footsteps woke her up. She does not know whose footsteps they are. Suzy woke up because the footsteps scared her.
Suzy creeps toward her bedroom door. The footsteps are close. She opens her door just a crack. She looks out into the hallway. Then Suzy throws the door open. The footsteps are Grandpa's footsteps. She runs to him. He gives her a big hug.
"Why are you up in the dark?" Suzy asks Grandpa. "The moon is up. It is night still. The sun is in bed. You should be in bed too."
Grandpa laughs his deep laugh. His booted foot stomps the floor. He ruffles Suzy's hair with his big hand. Suzy does not know what is so funny. Suzy giggles. Suzy laughs because Grandpa is laughing.
"There are chores to do!" Grandpa tells Suzy. "The animals have to eat. They have breakfast before we do. Would you like to help me with chores? I could use a cowgirl's help today."
Suzy giggled harder. She likes the idea of being a cowgirl. She runs to get dressed. She does not want to miss helping Grandpa. She wants to do chores on his farm.
Suzy and Grandpa go out in the dark. They are going to the barn. The animals are waiting for them. The animals want breakfast. They cannot make their own breakfast.
Grandpa tells her about the animals. He says a cow will have a calf. He says that will make her a mother. He tells Suzy about the pigs. There are lots of baby pigs. They are all brothers and sisters. Grandpa knows a lot about the animals.
Grandpa opens the barn door. The animals greet Grandpa and Suzy. Suzy thinks the animals are singing. She likes the sounds they make. The animal sounds are silly to her. They make her smile.
Grandpa hands Suzy a basket from the barn. He tells her she can get the eggs. Grandpa explains how to do it. He will feed the chickens corn. Suzy will take the eggs from the nests. The chickens will eat. They will not notice the eggs are gone.
Suzy and Grandpa work good together. They feed the horses oats. They feed the cows hay. The clean the stalls in the barn. They get the chores done quickly.
Suzy and Grandpa are getting hungry. They are working hard. Hard work makes them want breakfast. Grandpa says it is time to go eat. Suzy agrees with him.
Suzy goes to the barn door. She picks up her basket of eggs. Grandpa takes her free hand. They walk to the house together. Grandpa tells her Grandma will cook the eggs. They will have them for breakfast.
Grandma is up when they go into the house. Suzy helps grandma wash the eggs. She helps Grandma fry the bacon. Suzy and Grandma make biscuits. Suzy sets the table for Grandma.
The kitchen smells good to Suzy. Her stomach grumbles. It wants food. She can already taste breakfast. Suzy does not want to wait any longer.
Breakfast tastes best at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Suzy eats and eats. She eats so much her tummy hurts. The food tastes good and she wants more. Grandma and Grandpa laugh at her. They promise they will make more meals. They tell Suzy they cook a lot.
After breakfast Suzy helps Grandma clean up. Grandpa goes back to the barn. He is worried about the cow. The calf could be born anytime. He wants to be there then. He will keep the cow safe. He will check the new calf.
Grandma sends Suzy to the barn. They are done with chores in the house. All the beds are made. The dishes are clean. Grandma does not need Suzy to help now. She thinks Grandpa would like some company. Suzy thinks so too.
On the way to the barn Suzy plays. She picks flower in the sunshine. She dances in the weeds. Suzy pretends to be a bee. She buzzes around in circles. Suzy is having fun in the sun.
She finally gets to the barn. When she goes inside there is a surprise. There is a calf standing beside the cow. He is wobbling. His legs are unsteady. Suzy runs to him.
Grandpa catches Suzy. "No, Suzy," he says to her. "He is a baby. You will knock him over." Grandpa's eyes twinkle. He is excited too.
Grandpa teaches Suzy to pet the new calf. He is soft. He is nursing from his mother. Suzy thinks he is beautiful. She smiles at the calf.
"Can we name him?" Suzy asks Grandpa. "Can I have him for a pet? I will take good care of him. I promise I will. "
Grandpa explains the calf is not a pet. He is a farm animal. He cannot live inside a house. He cannot go for walks with Suzy. Grandpa says he can have a name though. He says Suzy can name the calf.
Suzy thinks hard. She wants a good name for the calf. She wants the perfect name. Not just any name. Suzy snaps her fingers. She names the calf Half Pint. Grandpa thinks it is the perfect name.
Grandpa tells Suzy the calf needs a nap. He tells her to go see Snicker. Snicker is Grandpa's horse. Suzy likes Snicker. She asks Grandpa if she can ride Snicker. Grandpa says yes.
Grandpa goes with Suzy. He helps her put a saddle on Snicker. He helps Suzy get on the saddle. Grandpa leads Snicker around the coral. Snicker prances and Suzy laughs.
Grandpa leads Snicker back to the barn. He helps Suzy get off the horse. Suzy does not look where she is going. She runs to get Snicker a sugar cube. She trips over a baby pig. he has gotten out of his pen. He is lost.
Suzy skins her knee. It hurts but she is okay. Grandpa helps her up. He has put Snicker in his stall. He picks up the baby pig. He takes it back to its pen. Suzy goes to get the sugar cube.
Suzy gives Snicker his treat. Snicker is happy. He has made Suzy happy. He knows because he got sugar. Snicker always gets treats when he is good.
Suzy hears Grandma calling. She is ringing the dinner bell. It is time to go eat dinner. Suzy remembers her tummy. It is hungry again. She had forgotten it all day long. Suzy and Grandpa go back to the house.
Grandma has made fried chicken. Mashed potatoes sit in a bowl. Gravy is beside them. There are more biscuits. Fresh green beans are also on the table. Suzy eats a lot. Grandpa eats a lot too.
Suzy helps Grandma with the kitchen. They wash dishes and laugh. Grandpa plays his fiddle. He sings songs for Suzy and Grandma. Grandma and Suzy dry the dishes. They put them away. The kitchen is done.
Suzy goes upstairs to take a bath. She is tired and dirty. She has worked hard today. She likes working on the farm. Suzy wants to stay on the farm forever.
Grandma comes in to read to Suzy. It is time for bedtime stories. The sun is just going down. The moon is not out. Suzy thinks it is funny to sleep now. The day is still out. She closes her eyes.
Suzy does not hear the whole story. She is asleep long before then. Grandma pulls a blanket over her. She gives Suzy a kiss. She is happy her granddaughter came to visit.
