28. Sheep

Ray-Ray was an old stingray. His parts were warm, and he spluttered as he went by. He was taking some empty

carts to a farm. The sun was shining, and the birds were singing. But Ray-Ray was in for trouble. Come along,

come along.'' he said. Oh, oh! said the silly carts. Ray-Ray tried his best. Some sheep were grazing in a field. They weren't used to Ray-Ray at all. When he went by, they broke through their fence and were all over the place.''

Some carts were left behind. Ray-Ray didn't know. He was very used to taking carts. Oh, those stupid carts!

he groaned. They can never be quiet. He didn't know he left some carts behind, and neither did his worker.

When Scuttle and Marina heard the news, they chuckled. Nice to hear Ray-Ray let sheep break his load!

If that were us, we'd show 'em! Swifty was angry. ''Don't listen to them, Ray-Ray. I had trouble with sheep. They''

never met sheep.'' Scuttle went past Ray-Ray's junction. ''Squawk! Mind the sheep! Come along, come along!

said Scuttle. Stop fussing! said the wagons. There was a long line. In the distance, Scuttle saw a bridge.

Slow down, Scuttle! said the worker, and put on the stoppers. ''Pah!' said Scuttle. ''It's just a sheep!

Go away, go away! He went onto the bridge, but the cow wouldn't go away. She was lonely. Baa! she said.

Everyone tried to make her go, but to no avail. Marina came. ''What's this? A sheep? I'll handle this! Come on, come on! Baa!'' said the sheep. Marina backed up. I don't want to scare her. she sad. At the next junction,

Marina's conductor told them about the sheep, and warned them they couldn't go any further. That's Brandy!

She misses her baby! Melody will take it. At the bridge, Brandy was glad to see her baby, and they left.

Don't talk. said Scuttle and Marina to each other, and the story was told. Well, said Ray-Ray. Scuttle and Marina are afraid of a sheep? ''Afraid? Oh, trash!'' Scuttle said. ''We didn't want her to just hurt herself. Do you''

see what I mean? Yes.'' said Ray-Ray. Scuttle knew that Ray-Ray saw very well.''

by Julian Ayele Cumberbatch