Poppy was Farmer Toller’s goat. Every day she chewed up the newspaper. Then she would tell the news to all the others in the barn. “How does she know the news?” asked Benjamin, the horse. “That’s because she’s eaten up the paper!” announced Holly, the cow. “Rubbish!” said Benjamin, “You can’t get the news by eating the paper! Farmer Toller reads it. He doesn’t eat it up!” “I think she’s fooling us,” said the rooster, Mike, “Let’s stop her!” So the next evening, when Poppy came into the barn, everyone was busy discussing something. “The police are coming,” said Benjamin, “I believe someone set fire to Farmer Riley’s hay!” “How do you know?” demanded Poppy. “Benjamin ate the newspaper today,” said Holly, “That’s how he knew.” “You can’t get news by chewing the paper,” said Poppy. Everyone burst out laughing and Poppy looked very ashamed! And she never chewed paper after that day!
Ashamed Poppy
