Elena watched as the skies grew pale and the morning sun came upon the horizon. The skies grew lighter and lighter until the whole farm was bathed in sunlight. Birds began to sing. Elena was excited to go and explore the farm. She had entirely forgotten about the stones when she was reminded of the most unexpectedly.
She had a quick breakfast and was off to see the chicken coup. There were dozens of chickens, all snug and cosy, perched on their nests. Elena looked at them all, and they were all clucked and cooed gently.
A cheery looking older woman was filling in the trough. She wore a spotted shawl and a red sweater.
She was singing a song softly as she worked. Everything around her seemed to be listening to her music.
"What are you singing?" asked Elena looking around her. Everything was neatly kept. The woman stopped and looked at her and smiled.
"Just a song that I made up," she said smiling. "I enjoy making up songs. It cheers me up more than most things,"
"That sounds nice. I wonder how you do it?" asked Elena as she stood looking at her. "She works hard," Elena thought to herself.
"You feed them every day?" asked Elena looking at the chickens come clucking. Elena laughed when she saw how the chickens gobbled up all the food instantly.
"They feel hungry too, just like us," the woman said, walking off. "I'm off to feed the cows. Do you want to come along?"
Elena went along with the lady. She couldn't quite put her finger to it, but she had seen her somewhere before. "That can't be. I just met her."
"Come along and see the cows," said the woman leading the way, "I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Laura. You must be Miss. Elena,"
"Yes. I am, said Elena laughing. "Everyone around here seems to know me,"
"As the heiress to Phoenix Farm, yes, you are known by everyone around here,"
"That seems a bit scary," said Elena, who didn't know that she was known by so many.
The cows were all standing in a row. There were manegers and haylofts. Everything looked just like a farm ought to. The cows bellowed. "They are happy to see you," she said, patting one. They are tired of seeing old Martha,"
"Who is Martha?" asked Elena looking at the woman.
"I'm Martha," said a woman who came in. "I work here in the mornings and work at the candy store in the evenings," said the woman as Laura left.
"You work at a candy store?" said Elena as Martha bustled out of the cowshed into the pigpen.
Elena followed her. The pigpen was neatly kept. The pigs grunted and snorted as they went about. Elena laughed. She never thought she'd like pigs, but she couldn't help feeling that they were lovely things.
"Yes. That's what I do during my spare time." She replied as she went about moving bundles of hay from the loft to the troughs.
Then there was a sound of a gong. Elena turned around. "What was that?"
"That's the bell for lunch, miss," Martha and said, "I will see you soon, miss," she hurried out of the shed with a pail in her hand.
"Lunch is ready, Elena," said a voice from behind her. It was Bill.
"Bill, I'm so glad to see you," said Elena taking off her hat and laughing. I hope this doesn't blow off like yours did yesterday.
"Let's hope not," said Bill laughing. "I've someone here to meet you," he said, and a boy with red cheeks and brown hair peeped from behind Bill.
