Carper and Ruth (Harold's new American Tunis lambs) are joining Bunty's flock today for this final Wool Week event to benefit the Rare Breed Survival Trust's 'LOVE A LONGWOOL' 2020 campaign. At first, Harold was going to let them sit this one out but decided that Alton was up to handling the young ones. Alton is Harold's sheepdog, and they've been drilling Bunty's sheep for weeks to get it just right. Harold added his new lambs in yesterday, and Alton handled them superbly, so we think you're in for quite a show here.
For those of you who are new to these sheep, we'll introduce them before the event begins. The two ewes in the back are Sheepie (Welsh Mountain Black) and Berengaria (Whiteface Dartmoor). The lambs, from left to right, are Carper and Ruth (Harold's new American Tunis lambs), Albie (Bunty's Leicester Longwool), and Berengaria's new lambs, Wilby (Wilberforce) and Molly (Molenick). Now that you've got it all straight, let's see what the others are up to.
For those of you who are new to these sheep, we'll introduce them before the event begins. The two ewes in the back are Sheepie (Welsh Mountain Black) and Berengaria (Whiteface Dartmoor). The lambs, from left to right, are Carper and Ruth (Harold's new American Tunis lambs), Albie (Bunty's Leicester Longwool), and Berengaria's new lambs, Wilby (Wilberforce) and Molly (Molenick). Now that you've got it all straight, let's see what the others are up to.
Harold and Alton visited the pen well before opening time this morning, in order to make sure that everyone was healthy and ready to perform. The lambs all rushed over to stare at Alton. Well, almost all . . . Who's that sitting down there in the back?
Harold immediately ran over to check him out, afraid that he was sick or injured. You have to be careful with new lambs, you know. Weird that Berengaria didn't seem in the least concerned, though. She's usually a very intuitive mother. "Let's have a look at you, little guy." Wilberforce wasn't having a bit of it. He just scowled up at Harold, absolutely refusing to budge.
As Harold was busy with the lamb, the red-hair trio arrived early and went right up to the lambs. Harold warned them to be quiet until he finished inspecting the little guy in the corner, and Bunty tiptoed over to where he was kneeling down. "Oh, Harold, I hope he's okay. It would break Berengaria's heart if something was wrong with her baby." Harold just shushed her and sent her back with the others. After no more than two minutes, he told them everything was all right and they could "make noise" again. He knew what was wrong with Wilberforce. The girls started right in with their little baby-sheep-talk. "What are you doing my little darlings? Are you excited about being in the show today? Oh, yes, you're adorable Albie. Why, Carper, don't step on Ruth like that. Oh, you're all so clean and smell so good. Did you get a bathie last night?" While Bunty petted and admired the sheep, Brighton looked over at Harold and asked about Wilby. "Nothing's wrong. Nothing but Wilberforce. He is the grumpiest lamb I've ever seen. Nope, I promise. He's not sick or hurt. He's just grumpy. Grumpy Wilberforce. That's what I'll call him."
Harold left Wilberforce to himself and loped over to where the others were still admiring the flock and making sweet talk. "Good morning, girls. Hey, Bunty, see if you can do something with that lamb of yours. If he doesn't cheer up and cooperate, he's gonna ruin everything today." Bunty went over to where Wilby was sitting and whispered in his ear. He got up and joined the others. Slowly . . . ever so slowly and with a surly step . . . but he did line up with his mother. Harold walked past the girls and stopped in his tracks. "What are you wearing those for? It's a beautiful warm day and you're wearing WOOL SCARVES?! Isn't that carrying the love for wool a little bit too far? Man, if you aren't hot now, you will be before the day's done." All three giggled (not Harold, just the girls). "Oh, Harold. You're so funny. We just bought these at the Bazaar. And they're new. And they're our favorite colors," Bunty explained. "Besides, we just want to wear them!" Harold went to check on Alton. Girls. The Girls went back to pet the lambs again. Boys.
"Here, boy!" Harold did a low whistle, and Alton trotted to his side. "You're such a good dog. Bet you're pretty excited to show off in front of a crowd, huh?" Alton wasn't listening to Harold, though, just staring at Wilberforce, who was glaring back.
Alton stared at Wilberforce, thinking. What IS that? It looks like a lamb and smells like a lamb. But that is the GRUMPIEST excuse for a sheep I've ever come across. I didn't think I was that hard on him yesterday. Nah, you have to be born with a disposition like that. He'd better not mess up my exhibition today. If he does . . . I'll have to show him who's boss around here.
Wilberforce stared at Alton, thinking. Who does he think he is? He thinks he's so smart. Every time I stood up yesterday, he nipped at my backside. So, who died and left him boss? I'll fix him. I'm just going to sit here. All day. Then we'll see how Mr Smartypants likes it. Wish I had a tooth to nip at him with.
It was was the great stare-off of the century.
Wilberforce stared at Alton, thinking. Who does he think he is? He thinks he's so smart. Every time I stood up yesterday, he nipped at my backside. So, who died and left him boss? I'll fix him. I'm just going to sit here. All day. Then we'll see how Mr Smartypants likes it. Wish I had a tooth to nip at him with.
It was was the great stare-off of the century.
The girls nearly choked themselves on their scarves as they whipped around at the sound of a very squeaky wheel. It was Sioned and Eliot with Truannie in her pram. "Yikes! That's a pretty squeaky wheel, Eliot. You should fix that." Eliot looked down at the wheel and back up at his sister. "Okay." While Bunty walked toward the pram, the other girls asked, in unison, "Whatever happened to that squeaky cricket in your kitchen wall?" The girls may have been giggling, but Eliot didn't think it was funny "It's gone," he said, as he walked away to find some male companionship. Four of them at once was too much for even Eliot's easy-going nature.
"Oh, Truannie, my little precious. Want to see the sheep? You like sheep, don't you? Can you say 'baa'?" All four girls held their breath, waiting for the little dear to answer. "Googey gaga." Oh, well . . . maybe tomorrow.
As a crowd started gathering in the open area in front of the temporary sheep pen, Harold went to get the animals in place. After such a long week of awful weather, more folks than they'd expected had come to enjoy the show and the fine weather. The sheep started to get a little excited, and Alton was ready to go. "Down, boy. Not yet. There's a good boy. Pretty soon, pretty soon. I'll tell you when. Stay right there." Bunty did her best to soothe the sheep for Harold, unsure about including the little ones in today's exhibition. Four new lambs were enough of a trial in the field, but put Albie into the mix, and . . . well . . . you never know what can happen. "Oh, you little darlings. Don't get excited. These people are just going to watch you move across the field and back again. Then there'll be nice feed in the barn for everyone. Oh, Albie, you will be a good boy, won't you? Come on, Wilby, stand up for Bunty. I'll give you extra grain when it's over. Pretty please with sugar on top?" Bunty thought she might call Sioned over to give it a try, since she had obviously had a way with "pretty please" yesterday to get people to try the sheep-milk Ice Cream. That probably wouldn't work, though, because sheep milk would not be a novelty for Wilby. Oh, well, Harold will know what to do. "I hope the girls found a good place to stand near the front. I want to see my Albie in action." Harold just nodded and double-checked the fence.
"Would you girls like to make yourselves useful and help me get the sheep over to that little piece of fence behind you? Yes, that one right back there. That's the starting point for the herding exhibition. Okay, boy! NOW it's time! Let's get them over there."
The girls started calling the sheep, who were very happy to leave the small pen and go to their friends. The lambs were pretty fast off the mark, but Alton kept everyone moving together. But, who's that? Uh-oh. "Wilberforce, you get over there with everyone else. Now." Wilberforce went, but only because he wanted to and not because Harold told him to.
Once the animals (and people) were all in position, Harold opened the final Wool Week event in his best sheep-calling voice. "Hello, everyone! Thank you for coming today. I'm so glad you could all make it, because Alton has been working really hard to impress you today. Before we get started with his amazing exhibition, though, I'd like to remind you that we're all here to support the RBST 'Love a Longwool' Campaign for Wool. You'll find donation cans at strategic points throughout the grounds." A boy's voice from the very back of the crowd hollered out, "Hey, Harold, got any necklaces to sell?" Twitters of laughter filled the air, and Harold grinned. "No, I'm not going to sell necklaces today. There are still some left, however, for those of you who weren't at the Bazaar. Just talk to Bunty after the show. Now, while we're waiting for the sheep to calm down, I'd like to share a few educational facts with you . . ." The crowd heard that unmistakable "swish" as Harold took a piece of very worn paper out of his back pocket. The audible groan from the audience unsettled the sheep, but Harold didn't seem to notice.
"Ahem . . . 10 Wonderful Reasons to Love Wool . . . #1: Pure wool is 100% natural . . . if you love the planet, use more wool! #2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and, finally, #10 . . ."
Bunty could feel her friends glaring in her direction, but she stood her ground and refused to look at anyone until it was over. A promise is a promise . . . and Harold had sold all the necklaces. Was it just her imagination, or was there a loud sigh when Harold folded his paper back up and stuck it in his pocket again? There must have been enough newcomers in the crowd to make the applause sound so loud. Or were they applauding because it was finally over? It didn't matter. The happy look on Harold's face, as he took a quick bow, told her that she'd been right to stick to her guns. Now she glared back at her friends.
"On with the show! Silence, please." The crowd quieted. Harold whistled. The sheep waited. And Alton began.
"On with the show! Silence, please." The crowd quieted. Harold whistled. The sheep waited. And Alton began.
How exciting a day! The Island's very first sheepdog giving his very first exhibition! The crowd waited with bated breath, wondering if Alton could move that whole big flock from the fence back into the pen without losing one. Even Truannie was alert and concentrating on what was going on. She remained as quiet as a church mouse, just sitting there sucking her thumb, while Harold got everyone in position.
A loud whistle from Harold, and Alton had the sheep moving right along. Carper and Ruth led the pack, and on their first time out, no less! Molly, Albie and Sheepie were having fun just going with the flow, while Berengaria stayed at the back of the flock to keep a motherly eye on her lambs. Grumpy Wilberforce managed to stay just enough behind his mother to feel like he was making a point, with a less-than-pleased expression on his face and moving at the slowest allowable speed. If that dog nips at me one more time, he's gonna get a taste of my hoof. Harumph.
That's it. I warned you, didn't I? Baa baa. It isn't my fault you weren't listening. Ble-e-e-at. I'm gonna tell Harold on you. Baaaaaa . . . Harold, I'm not going one step further until he stops telling me what to do. And you can tell him I said so . . . There, now you'll be in trouble, you big bully.
The crowd roared with laughter. Alton was not going to be done out of his day, though. He knew just how to handle defiant little lambs. Listen to me, you little squirt. Arf arf. If you aren't up and moving with the rest of them by the time I count to three, it's more than a NIP of my teeth you'll get. Harold is not going to save you, so stop making that noise at him. Woof woof. And there will be NO timeouts or second chances. One . . . two . . . The crowd applauded with delight as Wilby got up and ran after the others, with Alton close on his heels. Wow! What a nerve-racking moment!
Alton spoke their language, and the sheep knew it. The others were so pleasant to work with, but Alton was going to speak to Harold about that one over there. Maybe we could trade him for a pony!
The crowd started cheering as Alton moved the herd into the small pen. It was an intense moment for everyone, even Truannie, who'd stopped sucking her thumb and sat smiling at the antics of the cute puppy and fluffy sheep.
When Harold heard the crowd roar with laughter, he knew he'd been concentrating so hard on his whistle calls for Alton that he'd missed something somewhere. He'd missed something all right. 1-2-3-4-5-6 . . . WHERE'S ALBIE? He almost shouted it out loud.
The crowd roared again. "There he is! Over there! There's your 'little lost lamb'! Over there! And there he was. Albie was standing outside the pen, bouncing a little and acting like Alton was playing with him. Harold hadn't figured on this, but he had enough confidence in Alton's training to know that his well-trained sheepdog would save the day. And that's just what he did. Oh, Albie! Not again. It isn't time to play this game. Come on, man. You're embarrassing us both in front of all these people. Look, you go into the pen like a good little lamb, and I'll play with you later. Albie pretended he couldn't hear Alton. He liked the crowd smiling and pointing at him.
Alton went into Phase Two of his training. Come on, kid. You don't want them to start comparing you with that grumpy thing over there, do you? Bark bark. I promise, I'll play with you later. Okay, I'll even get Harold to take you for a ride on Eliot's scooter. Woof woof. If you don't get in there now, I'll be forced to nip at your back leg. You don't want to look foolish, do you? Ruff ruff.
Albie stopped and stared at Alton. Baaaaaa. Promise you'll work out a ride in the scooter for me? Can I drive, too? Baa baa. Okay, well then, can I wear the goggles? Moo moo. (Oh, sorry, that's wrong, isn't it?) Bleat bleat. No fooling? And a scarf? Okay, okay, I'll settle for just the goggles. Baa baa. Nip away, nip away. But let's give 'em a show before we go, okay?
Albie stopped and stared at Alton. Baaaaaa. Promise you'll work out a ride in the scooter for me? Can I drive, too? Baa baa. Okay, well then, can I wear the goggles? Moo moo. (Oh, sorry, that's wrong, isn't it?) Bleat bleat. No fooling? And a scarf? Okay, okay, I'll settle for just the goggles. Baa baa. Nip away, nip away. But let's give 'em a show before we go, okay?
"Oh, no," cried Bunty in agony, as she threw her hands over her head. "I can't look. Oh, Albie, how can you do this in front of the whole Island? Tell me when it's over, Natalya. I can't bear to look."
Harold, cool as a cucumber, took it all in stride. Another whistle and Alton moved the naughty lamb right into the pen with the others. The crowd went ballistic with applause!
Berengaria gave Albie one of those grown-up looks that says she'd be having a word with him later about his shocking behaviour. Albie ignored the look and grinned at Alton. Vroom vroom. The other sheep stared, wondering what kind of noise that was for a sheep to be making.
The crowd erupted into loud cheers and huzzahs. "Hooray for Alton! Hooray for Harold! Hooray for the sheep!" Never had there been such a day on the Island. "Hooray for Islandshire! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!"
Harold quickly shut the gate, just to make sure that the lambs stayed where they were supposed to be. The crowd kept cheering, the sheep looked . . . well, like sheep look . . . and Alton heeled by his master's side. A photo op, if you've ever seen one! (All you girls out there, eat your hearts out. No, Harold does not do autographs. Well, maybe if you ask with a "pretty please". Better yet, send food. He's a sucker for anyone who feeds him.) Sorry . . . back to the exhibition.
Harold raised his hands to quiet the crowd. It took a while, but he finally had everyone's attention. "The sheep thank you. Alton thanks you. And I thank you. You've been a wonderful audience. We've got a lot of work to do with these new lambs, but I think they deserve another round of applause for their first go at this." (Applause, applause.) "Quiet, quiet, please! I've been asked to make a quick announcement." That boy's voice from the back hollered out again, "It doesn't include 10 Wonderful Reasons, does it?" While Harold waited for the laughter to die down again, he scanned the sea of faces and found his heckling friend. "Fun-ny. Funny boy," he said with a grin.
"Actually, Bunty wants me to tell you that they ended up with so much leftover Ice Cream that they're setting up the Ice Cream Parlour for the rest of the day. If you give them about 30 minutes to get everything ready, you'll still find a lot of great stuff over there. Oh, yes! I'm also supposed to tell you that whoever stays to help clear the place up tonight gets to help finish whatever's left over when we're done for the day. Just let Bunty know if you can stay. Well, that's about it. Thanks, again, and LOVE A LONGWOOL!" The applause from the proud audience was deafening.
"Actually, Bunty wants me to tell you that they ended up with so much leftover Ice Cream that they're setting up the Ice Cream Parlour for the rest of the day. If you give them about 30 minutes to get everything ready, you'll still find a lot of great stuff over there. Oh, yes! I'm also supposed to tell you that whoever stays to help clear the place up tonight gets to help finish whatever's left over when we're done for the day. Just let Bunty know if you can stay. Well, that's about it. Thanks, again, and LOVE A LONGWOOL!" The applause from the proud audience was deafening.
Once things had quieted down a bit, the crowd began to disperse but didn't really go anywhere. Many of the onlookers asked Bunty if she needed help opening the Ice Cream Parlour, but she and her three friends assured them they had it under control. The area around the sheep pen was six-deep in admirers, the lambs being the main attraction, of course. The lambs ate it up -- they loved all the attention. Except for one. Wilby hid behind his mother, hoping that no one would notice him.
The second attraction was Truannie. "You're such a little sugar! What a precious little thing you are! Would you like to play with the fringe on my scarf? You're so cute!" Everyone loves Truannie. Truannie loves everyone. "Googy." Brighton sighed and wished she had a baby sister.
All of a sudden, Sioned and Brighton realized that the other two must have already left for the Studio to open the Ice Cream Parlour. They left Truannie with Kelly and made a mad dash across the grounds. On the other side of the pen area, Benny and Raito had just met up with Nanea, ready to get some Ice Cream to-go and hit the road for home. The boys were hungry and thought that Ice Cream would tide them over until they could get home and roast those leftover marshmallows. Nanea had other ideas about what they'd eat at home, though. The marshmallows would have to wait, but Ice Cream was still on the menu. "Wouldn't it be more fun to wait for dark to set in before we light the campfire? We could toast the marshmallows then, and Benny could play his ukulele for us." As the trio set off towards the Ice Cream, they were waylaid by Patty and Kitty. The boys sighed a lot while everybody had to get/give a big hug, and Benny whispered to his friend, "Raito, there won't be anything left to eat, if we have to stay around for much more of this." Raito nodded in agreement, but Nanea wasn't his sister.
I don't know who was happier about Patty being there, Patty or the others. Even Benny felt bad (for her sake) about wanting to leave, but Patty was telling some story about a "dream sweater" and Nanea acted like she wanted to stay to hear it. After a couple of minutes, Benny started getting really nervous about what wouldn't be left in the Ice Cream Parlour. He hadn't had any yesterday, and all he'd heard from Nanea was how yummy everything looked. Harold had mentioned that it was leftovers today, and he knew what the Merry Men club members could do to a food buffet. Maybe if he excused Raito and himself -- very politely, mind you -- "Excuse me, Patty . . . Kitty. Would you mind if Raito and I run to meet the other boys? You three can stay and have as long as chat as you'd like. Nanea, we'll be at the Ice Cream Parlour when you're ready to leave. Don't mean to be rude, but we really need to be with the other boys." Benny and Raito exchanged knowing glances and started off.
Ever get hit by a ball that you never saw coming? Or make plans for a picnic to start right before the hurricane passes over? That's about to happen to these three unsuspecting Islanders. Watch carefully. Unless you're squeamish, then please close your eyes. We'll tell you when you can open them again.
Ever get hit by a ball that you never saw coming? Or make plans for a picnic to start right before the hurricane passes over? That's about to happen to these three unsuspecting Islanders. Watch carefully. Unless you're squeamish, then please close your eyes. We'll tell you when you can open them again.
Patty was embarrassed that she hadn't thought of that before. "Please go, boys, and pardon me for running on like this. It's just that . . . I've had the most wonderful time of my life during this Wool Week. And I'm afraid I get carried away with the reliving of it." Nanea graciously assured her that the story had been lovely and that she really wanted to talk to her some more. Patty was genuinely relieved, because she didn't want Wool Week to end. Besides, everyone loves being with Nanea. And Patty really hadn't anything to go home to. Kitty felt sorry for Patty sometimes. She never had anything to go home to.
As the boys were making plans to meet up with Nanea later on, Kitty grabbed Benny's arm and asked to speak to him before he left. "Better say it now. Raito and I want to get home early, and I'd hate to miss you in the rush. Can we help you with something? As long as it's not today, we're your Merry Men!" Kitty was off and running. "Oh, Benny, you're always so helpful. But, no, this time I want to tell you how much I think about your sweetness to Nanea . . . to all of Islandshire, actually. This new venture of yours . . ." No-o-o-o. She isn't. She can't be. She is . . . Nanea knew Benny shouldn't have come today.
There wasn't a moment to lose. Nanea backed up behind Benny so that he couldn't see her and started waving her arms at Kitty -- hoping to stop her from going any farther. Furiously waving her arms. Like no one had ever waved their arms before. In fact, she was flapping so hard that it's a miracle she didn't fly away.
It isn't easy to stop Kitty once she's started, though. In fact, she probably thought that Nanea was waving her on to talk faster so that the boys could leave. "Oh, Benny! It's just wonderful! Raito, aren't you glad you were there to be part of it? Poor Patty, here, was too late to see the fun, but it was a great day for Islandshire. I know you're going to make ever so many people happy and . . ."
Nanea started jumping up and down and waving her arms, motioning to Kitty to STOP. She was so afraid of the proverbial house that was about to drop on them that she couldn't speak a word. WAVE. HEAD SHAKE. WAVE. JUMP UP AND DOWN. HEAD SHAKE. It wasn't working. She just stood there, exhausted and . . . well, how do you think she felt?!
"Oh, Benny, let me give you a big hug. You're just the best friend we have on Islandshire. No one else would so selflessly open a laundromat for everyone on the Island . . . and barbecue for them while they do their laundry . . . and play his ukulele while his sister dances her hula for entertainment. And whoever came up with that clever name: "Luau Laundromat"? It's just perfect, that's what it is! Perfect! I'm going to be your first visitor . . . I mean customer . . . when you get the plumbing done. And I'll make sure that everyone knows all about it. That way you won't have to pay for advertising. A penny saved, you know."
Benny fainted.
"Oh, my! Raito, get some water to pour on him! Fast! Thank you, Patty, you can help. How about a glass of something with a lot of sugar in it? Ask Sioned for some lemonade or root beer. Hurry! Oh, Kitty! How could you? What do you mean WHAT?! I hadn't gotten around to telling Benny the . . . news . . . um er . . . about the Laundromat idea. You knew it was a secret. Oh, no! Benny, Benny, wake up, dear brother . . ."
Kitty felt really awful. "Oh, this is dreadful! How was I supposed to know it was a secret? It's ALL OVER TOWN! Oh, this is dreadful. I'm so sorry, Nanea. Truly I am. The only secret I know about is Bunty's shee-----. No, I'd better not. I think that's still a secret, and Eliot was insistent that I not talk about his surprise for his sister until he said it was okay. Oh, dear. I don't know what I'm saying. Nanea, can you ever forgive me?" Kitty looked at Benny on the ground, lying there barely breathing. "Is he dead?"
Patty took Kitty by the arm and led her toward the Ice Cream Parlour, trying to calm her as they went along. This called for some quick action, and a slice of Ice Cream cake might be just the answer. Poor Benny, poor Nanea, poor Kitty.
Kitty felt really awful. "Oh, this is dreadful! How was I supposed to know it was a secret? It's ALL OVER TOWN! Oh, this is dreadful. I'm so sorry, Nanea. Truly I am. The only secret I know about is Bunty's shee-----. No, I'd better not. I think that's still a secret, and Eliot was insistent that I not talk about his surprise for his sister until he said it was okay. Oh, dear. I don't know what I'm saying. Nanea, can you ever forgive me?" Kitty looked at Benny on the ground, lying there barely breathing. "Is he dead?"
Patty took Kitty by the arm and led her toward the Ice Cream Parlour, trying to calm her as they went along. This called for some quick action, and a slice of Ice Cream cake might be just the answer. Poor Benny, poor Nanea, poor Kitty.
The news spread like wildfire, and the redheads rushed over to see if there was anything they could do. Nanea was herself again by the time they got there, though. "Oh, thank you, but he's coming around. He'll be okay, he's just had a bad shock. I think we'd better take him home now. Please tell Kitty it's all right. He had to hear it from someone, I guess. I just wish . . . well . . ."
As they left for home, Nanea and Raito each holding an arm, Benny just smiled and waved at the others. What a dork. Only girls faint.
(For those of you who closed your eyes earlier, you can open them now.) Well, the crowds are gone, and the Merry Men (minus Benny, of course) and all the other volunteers are tearing things down so quickly that it won't be long before even they'll be gone. There's still enough in the freezer for everyone to take something home with them, and Eliot's red-hair trio is ready to call it quits and bring the 2020 RBST 'Love a Longwool' Campaign for Wool week to a close. They may look as fresh as rosebuds in the morning dew, but they probably feel more like poppies when the sun is all but set. A good night's sleep, and things will return to normal. "Normal? Did you say normal? What's normal?"
THE END
You're welcome to come back here tomorrow, but there won't be anything to see. Bunty and her friends will be too tired to even pop in and say "hello". We will be back on Wednesday, though, to discover who won the Door Prize. So, keep those votes coming. Oh, before we leave, Bunty wants me to thank all of you who supported the Rare Breed Survival Trust's 'Love a Longwool' campaign this year with your time and money. So, on everyone's behalf, "Thank You" and good night.