Joey hopped over the fence into tall grass. The sun-warmed air smelled wild and free. 'No fence!' he called, trotting toward the dark forest.
Deep in the forest, soft blue mushrooms glowed along the path like tiny lanterns. Joey followed their light, his pink wool brushing fern fronds.
A mushroom bumped his nose and popped like a bubble. Joey laughed and trotted faster, the blue lights streaking past him.
Joey leaped across boulders in the rocky canyon. Hot sun baked the stone. He curled into a cool hollow shade and closed his eyes.
A hot pebble poked his wool. Joey shifted — and heard it again, faint on the wind. Uncle Dan's voice calling his name.
Joey stepped into the whispering swamp. Mud swallowed his hooves with a wet schlorp. He tugged and tugged but sank deeper.
Reeds whispered past his ears like dry fingers. Joey bleated loudly, his hooves slipping deeper into the hungry mud.
A familiar bark echoed across the water. Uncle Dan splashed through the muck, coming straight for Joey.
Uncle Dan reached Joey and nudged him hard. With strong pulls, he dragged the small sheep toward firmer ground.
Joey stopped struggling and pressed close against Uncle Dan's side. He listened to the steady beat of his fur.
Back in the sunny pasture, Joey lay beside Uncle Dan. The flock grazed nearby. A breeze ruffled his pink wool.
Uncle Dan rested his head on Joey's back. Joey closed his eyes. He didn't hop once.