Activities Coloring Pages Word Puzzles Word Treasures Return to the Story
Read by Trish Rowland
The winter wind was cold in the early morning light. It made a lonely sound as it blew through the bare tree branches and scattered leaves on the ground.
It started out like any other day. The animals in the barn paid no attention to the cold. They were warm and dry. Slowly, the animals began to stir from their sleep. It was time to wake and eat breakfast.
They didn’t notice when a visitor arrived to see Farmer John.
Shelley was the first to know everything that happened on the farm. From her web in the attic, the little spider could hear and see almost everything. Shelley was sitting on her web when she heard Farmer John say, “Joe, glad you could come by today. I think I may have some work for you. Let me get my coat.”
Shelley wondered, “Why is Farmer John meeting with Joe, the village handyman? Is something broken?” Then Shelley watched them walk to the barn. She thought, “Maybe there is something in the barn that needs to be fixed.”
The animals felt the cold air when the barn door opened.
Farmer John said, “Joe, take a look around and let me know what you think.” As Farmer John fed the animals, Joe measured each part of the barn.
Then he took out paper and a pencil. He quickly drew a picture of the inside of the barn.
The animals paid no attention to Joe. They were too busy eating breakfast.
Farmer John said, “Joe, let’s go back to the house and talk some more.”
When they returned to the house, Shelley was waiting and eager to listen.
The barn was quiet once more. The animals didn’t think too much about their visitor until Shelley came with news.
The horse saw the spider enter the barn and said, “Shelley, what good news do you have for us today?”
“Haley, I have news but I am not sure if it’s good,” answered Shelley.
“What have you heard?” asked the cow. Now all the animals listened to every word.
Shelley asked, “Did you notice that Joe came to see Farmer John this morning?”
Haley stopped eating her oats. She neighed and said, “Yes, he walked all over the barn and drew a picture.”
Shelley continued, “After that, he had a meeting with Farmer John. I heard them talking about the size of the barn. Joe told Farmer John there were too many animals.”
The news spread like wildfire. All the animals talked at once.
Belle howled, “What did Joe mean when he said there were too many animals in the barn?”
Feathers went flying when the hen clucked to her yellow chicks, “Too many animals! This sounds like trouble.”
The goat asked, “Do you think Farmer John would send some of us away to another farm?”
The mice were so scared they hid under the hay in the loft. The mother mouse said, “Be very quiet and they will forget we are even here.”
Haley reared and stomped her hooves in fright, “Too many animals! I’m not leaving. How could we be sent away? We are the number one farm on Breakers Island.”
The cow mooed, “Don’t look at me. I’m not going anywhere. This farm has been my home since I was a calf.”
The cat was not alarmed by the news. Kelly sat next to Belle and thought, “Boy, am I glad we live in the house.”
Shelley tried to calm them down. Their sounds grew louder and louder as the gossip spread. Belle barked, “Be quiet! Here comes Farmer John with Joe.” The animals watched the door open and felt the cold wind. No one made a sound.
Farmer John and Joe walked into the barn and closed the door. Joe handed Farmer John his drawing and said, “Here are the changes I think you should make. There really are too many animals in this barn.”
Farmer John looked at the drawing of the barn. Then he looked at the animals. Farmer John said, “Joe, I see that you are right. There are too many animals in here. It’s time to make the barn bigger.” He asked, “When can you get started?”
Activities Coloring Pages Word Puzzles Word Treasures Return to the Story
The news spread like wildfire. All the animals talked at once.