Authors: Rose Impey

Llama Drama (13 page)

BOOK: Llama Drama

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Later, as darkness fell and all the humans left the yard, the animals were free to have their own celebrations.

Liberty and Ginger had put their heads together and decided that the one thing that would finally put a smile back on Lewie's face would be to do a show for the rest of the animals in the yard. Lewie had hesitated, but only for a moment. He knew it would be the perfect end to a successful day.

While the sheep and lambs did some last-minute practising, Lewie snatched five minutes' rest. He was surprised to hear his name spoken by the formidable Hadrian. The old llama had decided to be graceful in defeat.

“You were a worthy winner today,” he told Lewie. “I hope you know all that kidnap nonsense was nothing to do with me.”

Lewie nodded. He knew that Hadrian couldn't choose his owner, or the men who worked for him, any more than Lewie could. He was lucky to belong to Farmer Palmer, a good and honest person, and his dear daughter, Millie.

Hadrian even went so far as to admit that he'd learned a little from watching Lewie with his flock. But once the entertainment started Hadrian wasn't quite so complimentary. He thought all that dancing about was beneath his dignity.

“I wouldn't want
my
flock carrying on like that,” he told the others.

“Neither would I,” huffed Blunderbuss.

“Never seen anything like it,” Wellington agreed pompously.

But the three old llamas soon realised that their flocks had a different opinion. The animals were singing along, stamping their hooves in appreciation as Lewie and his sheep and lambs performed a dazzling display of singing, dancing, high-kicking and comedy. When the lambs repeated their acrobatic display, the animals throughout the yard were silent in wonder.

Even Leo and Lamar were happy for once to share in Lewie's glory.

“He's my kid brother, you know,” Leo proudly told any animal close enough to hear. “He takes after
me
.”

Lamar was telling a group of admiring female llamas, “I taught him everything he knows.”

“Tchhh, just listen to yourselves!” Latisha snapped at them. She made a resolution that when they got home she really must find some more intelligent company to hang out with.

For the end of the show, Lewie had prepared a medley of all their favourite songs.

Any of the lambs, who didn't know all the words, just la-la-ed and then joined in the chorus. But the sheep bleated loudly.

Hadrian was surprised to see his friends, those two old grumblers Blunderbuss and Wellington, humming happily. In the end, even he couldn't resist swaying in time to the song.

But by far the best response was coming from Liberty's pen, where she and her new flock were singing along together, already bonding very nicely.

“Can you teach us to sing and dance?” asked a few of her sheep.

Liberty wasn't sure she could, but she promised she'd try her best.

Much later, when all the excitement was over and the whole yard was finally quiet, Liberty and Lewie had their first chance to talk over the many surprises of the day, not least her new role as a Guard Llama. The full implications of the job were only now finally dawning on the two of them.

“You're going to be too far away to slip out and visit me,” he told her.

But Liberty assured Lewie that her life as an escape artist was well behind her. She had responsibilities now. “I've had my freedom, Lewie,” she told him, “and I wouldn't change any of that, but it's going to be different from now on. It was seeing how brilliant you've been as a Guard Llama that made me feel â¦ maybe I'm ready for a new challenge too.”

Lewie beamed as he heard his sister talking.

“Mama and Papa will be so proud when they hear your news,” he told her.

Liberty looked a little sad. She regretted that she wouldn't be able to say her goodbyes to her parents. She sent so many messages for them that Lewie said, “Hold on, I can't remember all those! You'd better send some of them with Latisha â she's the brains of the family.”

But Liberty had one more worry. The other night when she'd stepped in for Lewie, when the coyotes had attacked, she'd realised just how scary it could be. She wondered if she would manage, without her brothers and sister for backup.

“What would I do, Lewie, if they returned?” she asked him anxiously.

Then Lewie was able to give Liberty her own excellent advice.

“Someone very wise once told me that the most important thing is to believe in yourself,” he said.

Liberty smiled, recognising her own words. “I'm going to miss you, Lewie,” she said fondly.

“Me too,” said Lewie, cuddling up to his sister. “Me too. But it won't be too long until next year's County Fair.”

And by then Lewie felt sure they both would have many more adventures to share.

Find out how Lewie became a Guard Llama!

It's a HUGE surprise when Farmer Palmer chooses Lewie the llama to guard his new lambs against the coyotes. It's the most important job on the farm and everyone thought he'd pick the biggest, strongest, loudest llama.

Lewie is the best at singing and dancing but is he a match for a cunning coyote?