Honk and the Donkey Delivery Service
Honk, the pig, was having a perfectly ordinary morning, which was unusual. Normally, something went wrong before breakfast. Today, however, everything seemed calm. That should have worried him.
Across the farmyard stood the two donkeys, Daisy and Doodle. They were best friends. They were very sensible. And they spent most of their time standing quietly and looking thoughtful. At least, that’s what everyone thought. Daisy and Doodle were always looking for ways to entertain themselves. And today they had found one.
Honk.
“Honk!” called Daisy.
Honk trotted over. “Yes?”
Doodle nodded toward an old wooden cart. “We need an important delivery.”
Honk’s eyes widened. A delivery! That sounded important. “What am I delivering?”
Daisy thought for a moment. “A very valuable package.”
Honk puffed out his chest. “I can do that.”
The donkeys helped him into the cart. Then they placed a small sack beside him.
“What is it?” asked Honk.
“Very valuable,” said Doodle.
“Extremely valuable,” agreed Daisy.
Honk nodded seriously.
The donkeys began pulling the cart. Through the farmyard they went. Past the chickens. Past the pond and past the sheep. Everyone waved. Honk waved back proudly.
“I am delivering a valuable package!”
The sheep looked impressed. The chickens looked confused. The donkeys looked delighted.
Soon they reached the top of a gentle hill. Daisy stopped. Doodle stopped. The cart stopped.
For about three seconds.
Then it began rolling backwards. Slowly at first. Then faster. Then much faster.
“HONK!” yelled Honk.
The donkeys chased after it. The sheep chased after the donkeys. The chickens chased after the sheep. Nobody knew why the chickens were running. They just felt involved.
The cart bounced down the hill. The sack bounced beside Honk. The wheels rattled. The farmyard became a blur.
Finally, the cart rolled gently into a haystack.
FLOMPH!
Everything stopped. Straw floated through the air. Honk sat there blinking. A daisy landed on his nose.
The donkeys arrived moments later, trying very hard not to laugh.
“Is the package safe?” asked Daisy.
Honk looked at the sack. It had split open. Carrots spilt everywhere. Carrots. Just carrots.
Honk stared. “You mean I delivered vegetables?”
Doodle nodded. “Very valuable vegetables.”
For a moment Honk tried to look annoyed. Then he looked at the donkeys. Then at the carrots. Then at the chickens who were already stealing them. And he started laughing.
The donkeys laughed too. Soon all three were rolling around in the hay while carrots bounced across the farmyard.
It wasn’t the most successful delivery in history. But it was certainly the most memorable.
And from that day on, whenever Daisy or Doodle mentioned an “important delivery,” Honk always asked one very important question. “Is it carrots again?”