Llama Drama by Rose Impey Read Free Book Online Page A

how?
    â€œLet’s sing,” suggested Bertie.
    The lambs sang one song after another: “
Baa, baa, black sheep …”, “Row, row, row your boat …”, “Sing a song of sixpence …
” But rather than keeping him awake, the songs seemed to lull Lewie even further to sleep.
    â€œWe’ve got to try something else,” said Bertie.
    Then the little lambs poked and prodded Lewie, gently tugging on his fleece and tickling him until finally he said, “OK, I give in! I’m awake!” Lewie struggled once more to get up. “We’d better get out of here before it’s too late,” he sighed.
    But that was easier said than done. In the darkness they felt their way around the walls until they found the door, where a very narrow band of moonlight was trickling in at the top. But even when Lewie and all the lambs put their weight against it, the door wouldn’t budge. They tried several times before Lewie announced, “It’s no good; it must be locked.”
    The lambs collapsed on to the floor in a heap.
    â€œNow what are we going to do?” asked Shoo.

    Meanwhile, Liberty and Ginger were slowly piecing together what was left of the trail. Very few titbits remained and it took all Ginger’s concentration to sniff them out. Liberty was getting more and more anxious and could hardly control her impatience.
    â€œCan’t you hurry up?” she begged.
    â€œI’m doing the best I can,” snapped Ginger, as slowly, very slowly, they made their way ever closer to the warehouse.
    When they finally arrived, the trail completely disappeared, and Liberty and Ginger were faced with two or three buildings, any of which, or none of which, might hide their beloved Lewie and the lambs.
    One by one, they tried each door and called loudly through keyholes, “Lewie, are you there? Bertie?”
    Then at last they found the right door!
    â€œWe’re in here!” squealed a number of shrill little voices.
    â€œIs that you, Mama?” bleated Bertie, recognising his own mother’s voice and almost bursting into tears.
    â€œWe’re here, my darling,” Ginger replied, almost in tears herself. “Now open that door and let us in.”
    â€œOh, we’ve tried that,” said Lewie, “lots of times, but it won’t budge.”
    Liberty and Ginger exchanged glances. They could tell from Lewie’s shaky voice that he was not quite himself. They needed to get him out, fast. Liberty looked up and saw a bolt right at the very top of the door.
    â€œOh dear,” she sighed. “If only I was taller.”
    â€œIf only I was younger,” said Ginger, “I could climb on your back.”
    But that was never going to happen. Ginger was a
big
sheep, heavy and solid and not exactly athletic.
    Suddenly Liberty had a bright idea! If the lambs could do their pyramid on the other side of the door, maybe the one on the very top could slide a hoof through the gap and loosen the bolt. It was a long shot, but it was the only hope they had.
    Dawn was approaching and they had to get back to the livestock yard before morning. Time was running out.
    Liberty explained her plan to Lewie. But everything went quiet inside the building, apart from the sound of a crying lamb. Ginger recognised Bertie straight away.
    â€œDon’t cry. You’ll be out any minute,” she told him.
    But the crying went on. “I can’t do it,” Bertie sobbed. “I’ll mess it up and we’ll never get out of here.” The sobs turned into a gasp.
    All the other lambs crowded around Bertie, telling him it was OK.
    â€œMaybe I could go on the bottom?” Shoo suggested kindly.
    But they needed Bertie. He was the only one strong enough to hold the weight of the others. Lewie bent down and whispered into the lamb’s ear, “You’re the best, Bertie, my one and only anchor-lamb – and we need you. We’re a team,