1. The Barn Party
By Geri Murray

2. It was dark on the farm. “A big storm has blown in from the north,” said Dad. “I need help to get the horse, the chicks, and the pets into the barn. They will be harmed if they are left in the yard.”

3. “Tug hard,” Mom yelled from the porch.
Jess and Ben ran into the yard. Bart the big horse was eating a grass snack. Ben tugged on Bart’s mane. “Come on, sport, I have oats in the barn for you.” Bart snorted at Ben.
“Tug hard,” Mom yelled
from the porch.

4. Ben ran to get a big pitch fork
Ben ran to get a big pitch fork. He stuck it in a pile of hay to show Bart. Bart trailed Ben to the barn to munch the hay. “Smart!” Mom yelled.

5. Dad and Jess had a hard job getting the chicks into the barn
Dad and Jess had a hard job getting the chicks into the barn. “Let’s toss them this corn, catch them, and put them in the cart,” said Dad. But the chicks kept jumping out to get more corn.
“Put the corn in the cart, and then run and get the tarp from the barn,” Mom yelled. “You can tie it down with this cord.”

6. The kits were hiding under the porch
The kits were hiding under the porch. “If I can lure Scat out, the kits will come.” Mom got a jar of fish. “Here, Scat.” Scat jumped out from under the porch. The kits marched out after her—right into Mom’s large box.

7. “This place is turning into an ark,” Jess said when Mom came in with the box of kits. Scat purred and darted into the barn. The thunder crashed in the yard.

8. “We may have to stay in the ark,” Dad sighed as he stared at the dark sky. Dad started to close up the barn.
“Arf! Arf!” barked Lad.

9. “Then let’s play hide and seek in the dark,” Dad said with a smile.
“Lad wants to come to the barn party,” said Mom, as the rain started down hard. “But we can’t party in the dark.”
“Then let’s play hide and seek in the dark,” Dad said with a smile.

10. “Dad starts. ” Ben yelled. They all ran to hide from Dad
“Dad starts!” Ben yelled. They all ran to hide from Dad. Lad barked and chased them. “No fair, Lad!” said Jess. “We can’t hide if you show Dad where we are.”

11. Dad lit a flame, and there in the loft he spotted his old horn
Dad lit a flame, and there in the loft he spotted his old horn. “Come on, let’s sing farm songs.” Lad moaned and barked while Dad played the horn. Mom, Jess, and Ben clapped and sang.

12. The storm stopped soon. The chicks ran back into the yard, and Bart had a drink from a fresh rain pool. Mom, Dad, Jess and Ben were glad they had a rest from their chores, even if it was short.

13. Return to the Book Index
Genie Collection
© 2006