(2 minute read)

Morning light stretched across the Lake District fells, turning the hills soft gold and bright green.

Herdy stood at the foot of Carrock Fell, a neat little map tucked under his hoof. “Today Sheppy,” he announced, “we are setting off on a proper fell adventure!”

Sheppy bounced so high he nearly did a somersault. “A fell adventure?!” he barked. “With hills? And rocks? And running?!”

“Yes,” said Herdy.

“And snacks?!”

“…Possibly.”

“Best day ever!” barked Sheppy, zooming in excited circles.

Off they set, climbing the stony path up Carrock Fell. Herdy walked steadily, step by step. Sheppy dashed ahead, then back again, then ahead again - ears flapping, tail spinning like a propeller. At the top, they stopped to admire the view and catch their breath.

“It’s magnificent,” said Herdy looking out across the fells.

“Let’s go on to High Pike!” said Sheppy impatiently, looking out towards the next fell.

“Lead the way.” Replied Herdy and they both set off, the ground gradually softening beneath their feet. The grass grew longer. The path grew squishier.

Squish… squelch… sloop.

Sheppy grinned, “Ooooh, bouncy ground!”

“Hmmm,” said Herdy. “Perhaps a little too bouncy.”

Sheppy took a big enthusiastic leap. SLURP. Sheppy froze, “Uh oh - the ground just hugged my paw.”

Before Herdy could respond, GLOOP, both of them sank into the muddy bog. They wriggled and wobbled. The bog wobbled back.

“Oh my,” said Herdy. “This is not good.”

They tried to climb out but instead sank deeper into the bog.

Just then, a small voice piped up, “Bit stuck, are we?” said a tiny worm poking its head out of the mud.

“Looks like you’re in a bit of a mess,” croaked a bright green frog as he hopped skilfully onto a tuft of grass nearby.

“What should we do?” asked Herdy, never having walked into a bog before.

“Lie flat!” said the frog. “Spread your weight!” said the worm.

Sheppy hesitated, “You want us to… lie down… in the mud?”

“Yes!” the frog and worm replied together.

With a dramatic SPLAT, Sheppy flopped flat. Herdy followed.

“Now inch forward,” instructed the worm.

Slowly, very slowly with a squish, a slide and a wriggle they edged toward firmer ground. With one final push they rolled free to safety. They both lay there, covered in mud from head to hoof, and paw to tail. Sheppy looked at Herdy. Herdy looked at Sheppy. They burst into laughter and turned to their rescuers.

“Thank you for saving us!” said Sheppy.

“Thank you,” said Herdy warmly. “Would you like to join us for a picnic with on High Pike?”

The worm wiggled thoughtfully. “Well… we do enjoy a good picnic.”

Together, the four new friends made their way to High Pike, this time, sticking carefully to the path.

Up they climbed, higher and higher, until at last they reached the summit. Sheppy spun in a happy circle. Herdy opened his rucksack and pulled out a hearty variety of sandwiches, apples, dog biscuits and a little flask of piping hot tea. He said, “what a perfect spot for a picnic.”

They all settled down on the soft grass. The frog nibbled politely. The worm enjoyed a piece of apple. Sheppy munched happily on his biscuits. They sat together, looking out across the beautiful fells. A sheep, a dog, a frog and a worm. Four unlikely friends, sharing a picnic at the top of the world.

As the sun began to drift lower in the sky, Sheppy thought about everything that had happened that day.

“Thank you again for helping us today.” said Sheppy gratefully, “If you hadn’t come along we might still be stuck!”

The frog and worm chuckled and felt proud.

“Good friends,” said Herdy, “come in all shapes and sizes, and when we listen, help one another, and work together, we can overcome even the trickiest problems.”

And with that, they packed up their picnic and headed home, already dreaming about their next adventure.