The Farmer's Llamas by Martin Howard

Author:Martin Howard [Howard, Martin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9140-0
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published: 2015-05-21T16:00:00+00:00

Bitzer looked around at the mess inside the barn. He growled to himself. Someone would have to tidy it up, and — of course — it wouldn’t be the Farmer. Shaking his head, he went off to fetch the vacuum cleaner.

Meanwhile, Shaun crept up the entrance hallway in the farmhouse, listening for the Farmer’s footsteps. Outside, the llamas stared through the kitchen window, watching while Shaun tip-hoofed in. He gave the llamas a thumbs-up and grabbed a bottle of cola from the crate on the kitchen table, then sneaked back out the door, thrilled by his own daring.

The llamas looked at one another. Hector rolled his eyes. Shaun was an amateur. Hector opened the window, leaned into the kitchen, and grabbed the whole crate of cola!

By the time Shaun turned the corner, holding up his swiped bottle, the llamas were each carrying bags stuffed with groceries.

Soon the four were leaning against various items of junk in the tractor shed, surrounded by half-eaten food and empty bottles. Across the meadow, the rest of the Flock looked away. Noses in the air, the tutting sheep put as much distance as they could between themselves and the thieves. Only Timmy looked interested. It was a hot day, and the cold cola called to him. Leaving the Flock behind, the little sheep trotted toward Shaun and the llamas.

Having downed half a bottle of fizzy cola in a single gulp, Fernando burped and snickered. Hearing a tiny bleat, he looked down and saw Timmy staring at his drink longingly. Fernando handed him a bottle and tapped his own against it: cheers!

Overjoyed, Timmy settled himself between Shaun and Hector. He took a gulp of stolen cola and let out a tiny burp. Shaun ruffled his fleece, bleating. Life was better with a little bit of mischief. Shaun and Timmy giggled, blowing over the tops of their cola bottles to make a low and haunting noise.

Hector finished his own bottle, then threw it away, wiped his mouth, and leaned back against a blue tarp.

BEEP.

Raul started at the sound and lifted a corner of the tarp. A wicked grin appeared on his face. Quickly, he threw the rest of the tarp aside. Underneath was the Farmer’s ATV. Raul and Hector grinned at each other and climbed on.

BEEP, BEEPITY, BEEP-BEEP.

Shaun and Timmy looked up from their bottles and stared. The two llamas were riding the ATV like a seesaw! Bleating with horror, Shaun jumped up and ran to stop them. This was taking mischief too far.

Behind him, Fernando finished his cola. Then he spotted Timmy’s half-full bottle, snatched it, and began to guzzle, watching what Hector and Raul were up to.

Tears welled in Timmy’s eyes.

At that moment, the summer day was shattered by the roar of the ATV’s engine. Shaun waved his hooves, bleating desperately. Raul and Hector had to get off. There would be big trouble if the Farmer saw them. . . .

Shaun was interrupted by a wail behind him. Across the meadow, Timmy’s Mum and the other sheep looked up.

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