Shaggy-dog and Mrs. Mole

Once there was a dog, a scruffy but kind dog, who lived on a farm with an old farmer and his wife. The farm had several large fields mainly for growing corn but other crops as well. There were other animals on the farm, 3 cows, 2 pigs, a cat and kittens and a number of chickens as well as a rooster and a horse. The dog had several duties to perform which made him very proud and important. He would wander about the farm and the fields to make sure everything was OK. On the way he spoke with all the animals, as they were good friends, and felt he was one of their “farm family.” He kept an eye out for the fox that lived in the nearby woods in order to protect the chickens. His main job however was to go up to the pasture above the farm at the end of the day and bring the cows home for milking. Sometimes the cows refused to go home with him. That made him angry, and he barked at them until they began to move. He didn’t know that the cows did this just to tease him. They really liked the dog and appreciated his concern and help.