₦airaland Forum

all creatures great and small





When he took it out he was holding some object but it was difficult to identify, being almost obscured by his enormous thumb. Then i saw that it was a tiny, black covered miniature diary about two inches square- the sort of novelty people give each other at christmas.

"Is that the herd record?" I asked.

"Yes, this is it. It's all set down in here." Walter daintily flicked over the pages with a h.orny forefinger and squinted through his spectacles. "Now, that fust cow- she's number eighty-fower"


"Splendid!" i said. "I'll just check this one and then we can go by the book." I peered into the ear. "That's funny, I make it twenty-six."

The brothers had a look. "You're right, sorr, you're right. It IS twenty- six."

Walter pursed his lips."Why, that's Bluebell's calf, isnt it?"

"Nay," said Fenwick, "she's out of awd Buttercup."

"Can't be," muttered Thomas.  "Awd Buttercup was sold to Tim Jefferson afore this 'un was born. This is Linda's calf."

William shook his head.  "Ah'm sure we got her as a heifer at Bill Ashby's sale."

"All right," I said, holding up a hand.  "We'll put in twenty-six." I had to cut in. It was in no way an argument, just a leisurely discussion but it looked as if it could go on for some time,  I wrote the number in my book and injected the cow. "Now, how about this next one?"

"Well, ah Do know that 'un," said Walter confidently, stabbing at an entry in the diary. "can't make no mistake, she's number five."

I looked in the ear. "Says a hundred and thirty seven here."

It started again. "She was brought in, wasnt she?" "Nay, nay, she's out of awd Dribbler." "Don't think so- Dribbler had nowt but bulls. . . . "

I raised my hand again. "You know, I really think it might be quicker to look in all the ears. Time's getting on."

Misty of Chincoteague


At a watchful distance, the roundup men rested their mounts and relaxed. It was like the lull in the midst of a storm. All was quiet on the surface. Yet there was an undercurrent of tension. You could tell it in the narrowed eyes of the men, their subdued voices, and their easy laughter.

Richard the Lion Heart


The palaces of the east were rich with silks and tapestries, carpets, and soft cushions. Beautiful glass goblets and table-ware in precious metals dazzled the crusaders, who used pewter and wooden platters at home. All these things found their way into English castles.

Puss in Boots



"That is most unfortunate," said the King. "We cannot leave him there without clothes." So he gave orders to a servant to fetch a suit from the palace.

When the miller's son was dressed in a suit of good clothes, he looked a very fine man indeed.

The King then invited him to go for a drive with them. So the miller's son sat in a carriage beside the princess.

fattypuffs and thinifers



In fact, as Terry and Edmund realized in the first few minutes, everything was going wrong. The delegates spoke to each other reproachfully of the bad organization of the conference. The Fattypuffs had proposed that before starting work they should have a meal together. But the Thinifers, who never ate in the middle of the day, insisted on holding the first session immediately. Prince Vorapuff, alarmed by the terrible voice of Mr Rugiver, agreed right away, but he ordered a great pile of sandwiches and cakes to bear him up under the strain of missing his usual meals.