Once upon a farm so wide,
Lived a dog and a cat side by side,
They loved to run and play about,
But there was a cow who never came out.

The pig would oink and snort all day,
Rolling in mud was his favorite way to play,
But the cow just stood there, alone and still,
Until the dog and cat had a plan to fulfill.

"Come out, come out, dear cow," they said,
"Join us in the sunshine, you won't regret!"
But the cow just shook her head and sighed,
"I'm too big and clumsy, I'll just stay inside."

The dog and cat wouldn't give up that fast,
So they hatched a plan that would surely last,
They went to the pig and said with a grin,
"Let's bring the fun to her, let's bring it in!"

They gathered hay and corn, apples and pears,
And brought them to the cow with care and flair,
They played and ate and laughed all day,
And the cow finally came out to play!

So now the farm is full of fun and cheer,
The dog, cat, cow, and pig are all here,
Playing games and chasing each other about,
Having fun inside and out.

Reflections

Here are a few questions to ask kids to think about the story:

1. Why do you think the cow didn't want to come out and play with the other animals?
2. How did the dog and cat convince the cow to come out and play?
3. What did the dog and cat do to make sure the cow had a good time outside?
4. How do you think the cow felt at the end of the story? Why?
5. Have you ever felt shy or hesitant to join in on a game or activity? What can you do to help yourself feel more comfortable?