Bradford Lad: A Treat For A Sheep
Mike Coatesworth tells a story of a disappointed little girl and a thieving sheep.
My friend Anne told me the following story. She was sitting in her garden, gazing up at the clear blue sky, wondering what lay in store on a warm summer's day. Her father suggested they go on a picnic, and she readily agreed.
She promptly went indoors to help her mother prepare for the outing. Her father collected the eggs which their hens had layed. These were taken into the kitchen and placed in boiling hot water. Ane's mother went to their food larder and took out a small tin of salmon. Tinned salmon at that time was very scarce, a luxury to be produced only when guests came to tea.
Anne realised that this was indeed going to be a very special day. She watched closely as her mother emptied the contents of the small tin into a bowl. Anne picked up the empty tin and ran a finger around the inside of it, then placed the finger in her mouth, thinking of the sanwich which she would be tasting later in the day.
The sun was shining high the birds were singing merrily when they arrived in the village of Denholme for their picnic. Anne’s dad spread a large tablecloth on the ground and her mother set out the food on it. Two egg sandwiches and one salmon sandwich each. Then she set out kilen jars containing a dessert of stewed apples and custard.
For a while laughter could be heard far and wide as Anne and her father played games. Then it was time to eat. The three of them sat around the tablecloth. Anne began by slowly eating the egg sandwiches, savouring each mouthful, leaving the salmon sandwich until last.
She was about to start of the much anticipated salmon treat when a sheep suddenly nipped in, grabbed the sandwich then legged it across the field.
Anne stared in shock at her empry plate, then at the distant sheep, which was now chewing.
Anne’s dad was in stitches when he saw look on his daughter’s face. Her mother was desperately trying not to laugh.
Tears fell down Anne’s cheeks. Her dad placed his arm around her shoulders to comfort her. Being a good father he gave her two of his sandwiches. A smile returned briefly to Anne's lips then faded again. They were egg sandwiches. She was the only one who had saved her salmon sandwich until last.
Anne again looked at the thieving sheep. Was it grinning?
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