One early morning before it was even light outside, Shrimp got up because she couldn’t sleep anymore. She bent over and stretched her front legs out. Then, one back leg at a time, she stretched it out while she walked. Shrimp then, walked over to the big water bowl and got a drink. When she was done, she quietly walked out of the barn and looked around. The sky was still dark and it was pretty quiet outside. Shrimp did notice that farmer Joe’s kitchen light was on though.
“Looks like Joe is starting his day early too,” Shrimp said.
Shrimp heard the frogs croaking in the pond and decided to take a look. She walked around the barn and headed toward the pond when she saw Billy, her blackbird friend. He was standing still and staring at the thick green grass.
“Hi Billy,” Shrimp said.
“Shhhhh,” Billy said.
Shrimp stopped quickly and looked around. She then waited for Billy to say something else. But instead, Billy took one step and plunged his beak into the ground and quickly pulled out a long brown worm. Shrimp watched Billy while it took him several gulps to completely swallow the worm. Shrimp had never seen Billy eat a worm before let alone hunt for one.
“Ah, good morning Shrimp. You are up early this morning,” Billy looked at her.
“You just ate that, that worm,” Shrimp said as she scrunched up her nose and cocked her head.
“Yes I did, and it was mighty tasty too… Didn’t you know that worms are my favorite?” Billy asked.
Shrimp shook her head and said, “no, I didn’t even know that you ate worms.”
“Ah, yes. And did you notice that I listen for them? I can hear them when they get closer to the surface,” Billy said.
Shrimp had a look on her face that made Billy laugh, “It’s no different than some of that food that you eat. Only that my meal is fresh and warm.”
“Well, as long as you like them Billy. I will stick to the food that I’m given by farmer Joe,” Shrimp said.
“Well, that’s the thing little miss. What would you eat if he was no longer able to feed you?” Billy asked.
That made Shrimp stop and think for a minute. She had never been in a position before of not having any food.
“Billy, you said that you can hear the worms under the ground?” Shrimp asked.
“Yes, but you have to be very still and quiet to hear them,” Billy explained.
Shrimp stood still and quiet for about a minute but didn’t hear anything. Billy told her that by now, the worms have probably moved on since they were talking.
“Oh, I’m sorry Billy. Did you have enough to eat then?” Shrimp asked.
“Yes, I’m good for now. Maybe later if I get one I will let you try it,” Billy said.
Shrimp scrunched up her nose and asked, “what does it taste like?”
“Um, I don’t know. It just tastes like a worm to me,” Billy said.
What Billy said though made Shrimp wonder. What if she did have to find her own food someday? What would she want to eat?
“So, what got you up so early anyways?” Billy asked her.
“Oh, nothing really. I guess I just got enough sleep,” Shrimp said.
“Did you have your breakfast yet?” Billy looked toward the pond.
“No, not yet. I’m not hungry yet… Now what are you looking for?” Shrimp asked.
“Oh, I’m just keeping my eye open for caterpillars now,” he said.
“Caterpillars? What do they taste like?” Shrimp asked.
“Um… Like a caterpillar,” Billy looked into the reeds near the water.
While Shrimp walked around with Billy in search of more breakfast, the sky started to brighten up. Morning was now here and Farmer Joe was outside and doing his chores. He walked into the barn and checked the food and water bowls for the cats and then made his way around to the shed to check on Bonnie and her babies. Shrimp saw Joe by the shed, and wished Billy a nice morning before she trotted over to him.
“Good morning Shrimp,” Joe bent over to pet her, “I put more dry food in your bowl in the barn.”
Oh, thank you, Shrimp thought as she rubbed on his leg.
Joe went back to moving some hay around in the shed, so Bonnie and her babies were comfortable in there. Shrimp peeked in at Bonnie before she headed to the front of the barn. Just before Shrimp walked into the barn to get something to eat, her Momma said good morning as she walked past her.
“Good morning Momma, have a nice day,” Shrimp said.
Shrimp walked over to the food bowl and started to nibble on it. She felt thankful for the food that Joe gives her and her family. Shrimp thought that if she ever had to look for food on her own that at least she has a friend like Billy who would help her. I may not like the idea of eating worms but at least it would be something, Shrimp thought.
Please join me again for another adventure with Shrimp and Tiger on the farm. And don’t forget to hit the heart to show that you liked the story, thank you.