The animals were cosily settled in for the night in the barn, the stable, the chicken coop and the pens. But suddenly, some disturbance erupted. “Shoo! Shoo! Out!” One by one the animals became restless and soon everyone was awake. “What’s the matter?” “What’s happening?” “What’s that noise?” “Who’s in the stable?” Hearing the sounds, […]
Farmer Golding had a palomino horse named Nat. He did not like to waste time gossiping with all the farm creatures but spent his day working, having his meal and standing silently while everyone jabbered. The creatures had named him No-Nonsense Nat! But one day, they found Nat standing near the fence, looking dreamily around
Leopold played the violin beautifully. But he needed to practise somewhere quietly as he was preparing to go to a music college. He came to the countryside and found the best place near a stream that ran outside Farmer Bingle’s yard. It had willow trees and was so beautiful that he settled down to play.
Mammatus Clouds are pouch-like cloud structures and a rare example of clouds in sinking air. They are usually sighted after the worst of a thunderstorm has passed. When precipitation-enriched air is carried upwards, it loses momentum and begins to spread out horizontally beneath anvil clouds. This air being heavier sinks towards the earth. The sinking
Mr Alger bought the farm and settled in quite happily. But he needed someone to look after his two daughters: 7-year-old Susan and 3-year-old Maggie. And so one morning, Miss Fern arrived. She wore a grey suit, sensible shoes and glasses, and her hair was tied in a tight bun. “She seems very tough!” commented
Farmer Barton’s orchard had a wonderful harvest of apples that year! Green, golden and red, they hung from the branches looking delicious! He had called more people to help him with the apple picking. And all the creatures on the farm were enjoying themselves, for so many apples had fallen that they got their share
In the 17th century, King Charles II ascended to the throne in Scotland and refused the Covenanters the right to freely practise their religion. Sir George Mackenzie, Lord Advocate appointed by the king, carried out the most bloody religious persecutions against the rebel Presbyterian Covenanters. The rebels were subject to deportation, inhumane torture, starvation, exposure
Orfy sat on a beam in the barn and seemed to sleep most of the day. He was a barn owl and went out hunting at night. “We wonder what he does all night and what he eats?” told the other animals and birds, “All he does is sleep!” But one day, Orfy came back
“I’m a horse!” announced Reg, “I am a noble animal! I go to war!” Bud, the donkey, snorted, “You are not used when Christmas comes and the scene of Jesus’ birth is put up in the church! I am always there, and so are the cows and the sheep!” They had been arguing about this
Farmer Bertram had got a new van with a trailer. He had an old van, a tractor, a horse buggy and a donkey cart. Now, he had a problem. “Where should I park this van and trailer?” he wondered. The farm creatures were very worried. Would he put it in the barn or the stable
Lyonesse is a country in Arthurian legend, in the story of Tristan and Iseult. Lyonesse is said to have sunk beneath the waves sometime after the Tristan stories have taken place. In medieval Arthurian legend, there are no references to the sinking of Lyonesse, because the name originally referred to a still-existing place. Alfred, Lord
Farmer Nidd was a very cranky old man. He put up a large sign on the gate that read: DO NOT DISTURB. When Buck and his group of naughty friends saw this, they decided to play a prank on Farmer Nidd. They made many little placards with ‘Do not disturb’ written on them and hung
Farmer Lang was known for his generosity. He wanted to give something always to anyone who came to the farm. But one day things became difficult for him. Mrs Collins, the lady who kept the post office in the village, wanted to buy his favourite dog, Bumper! “I need someone to guard my home!” she
Jeffrey was a bad neighbour. He quarrelled with everyone. The farmers near by were all fed up of his bad temper and his dreadful tantrums. The animals on all the neighbouring farms also kept away because he would throw things at them or beat them if he found them near his fence. One day, a
Miss Blossom had arrived at the Mr Milder’s Farm to teach his children, Betty, Joan and Peter. Mrs Milder had died and Miss Blossom looked after everyone. The animals found her a very pretty, gentle young lady who was kind to all the animals too. She would take the Milders’ children for a walk around