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3. Bessy

One of the daily chores was to feed the livestock in the barn. The children’s chore was to feed the smaller animals, such as the pig and chickens, while Henri would tend to the horse and cattle. Alphy and Edmond were on their way to the barn to feed the chickens, when they came across Bessy, the cow. Henri had tied Bessy outside in the barnyard to prevent her from wandering off. The fence needed

to be mended, so he didn’t want to chance putting her in the pasture.

When Edmond and Alphy came upon Bessy, Edmond commented that he knew a boy who could ride a cow.

Alphy responded, “Silly, no one rides a cow. You must mean a mule or a donkey perhaps.”

The boys entered the barn. Edmond replied, “ Oh, it’s a cow all right.” Alphy reached for the feed pail hanging up above the grain bin.

He pulled it down and proceeded to the bin with it, then stopped in his tracks. He looked at the pail, still thinking about what Edmond

had said about a boy riding a cow.

Alphy didn’t fill the pail with feed ;>he stepped outside with it instead, and started walking towards Bessy. Edmond followed close behind. Edmond asked Alphy, “ What are you doing?”

Alphy replied, “You’ll see.”

Alphy reached Bessy, and put the pail upside down beside her. He asked Edmond to hold the pail. Bessy was still munching the

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