I KNEW THE ANSWER TO THE MYSTERY OF THE RED TEA POT!

posted by Ellis the Ram

I thought it would just be we two boys, sill sitting in New Jersey. And it seemed to be until I looked out from the coffee table and what was rolling down the entry way? THE RED TEA POT ! I could have predicted it if the trouble between Noah and the Rude Rabbit hadn't occupied my thoughts. After all, I was the one who said that Callopie was simply hiding and would appear when she wanted. And when I heard Esme shout out to the boys, when they had gotten Ovi to the top of the RED TEA POT, I should have gone over to see if Esme needed my assistance....right then and there the answer would have been found. But I didn't and now what was to be an Ellis and Noah sill sitting quality time weekend...well AND THEN THEY WERE 4. Well, 3 plus a RED TEA POT. Yes, it wasn't just a RED TEA POT rolling down the entry way because right behind it in what was obviously a 'tailing operation' was Sullivan. And I couldn't just him let me know when he got to the coffee table because he got stuck in the door. And he already told you about all that up til after I assisted him out of the door.

As the 3 of us...Noah, myself and Sullivan convened on the coffee table we all pretended not to see as the RED TEA POT made its was to the tabletop also. But it kept its distance. While the 3 of us conferred I heard our HC and her MPU discussing why Sullivan and the RED TEA POT appeared. HC assumed I simply brought Sullivan along and I didn't correct her. But she also assumed her MPU, Polly, had brought the RED TEA POT. That is when the next clue arrived. As our HC and her MPU questioned how the RED TEA POT would have been packed as next weekend it would go to MALICE DOMESTIC....out of the corner of my eye I noticed the pot shake and heard a bit of a gasp from inside the RED TEA POT. I suppose you can guess the next part. I 'suggested' Noah and Sullivan go with our HC and explore other portions of the hotel as we had plenty of time to sill sit. And when they left....

Up I climbed to the lid of the RED TEA POT. "Callopie? You need to open the lid as it will be simpler to talk if I'm not having to speak to RED TEA POT, but to you."

I climbed down and slowly the lid flipped back. I stood quietly and when Callopie didn't appear I had to become ELLIS THE RAM, HEAD OF FLOCK and tell her she must come out as we needed to discuss all. Her disappearance. Her hiding as I knew full well she heard the frantic searching by her brother as well as others in the flock. Her temper tantrum when she didn't get what she wanted in answer to her frequent requests to go to Malice Domestic.............I waited.

And then she appeared. "Why don't you explain where you have been and what you have been doing the last several days?" Callopie slowly told me how important it was to go to Malice Domestic and she had been upset having to wait with all the others to see if she was chosen. After she had run away she knew Sullivan was horribly worried but she was torn between wanting him to know she was OK and wanting to find a way to go to Malice. It was then she noticed the RED TEA POT. And wasn't a TEA POT what the Agatha Winners at Malice were given to honor their achievements. And Red and Black were Malice colors and wasn't this a RED TEA POT. Surely this could be a special thing taken to Malice by Polly, she couldn't imagine it would stay at home. And when she heard a trip was planned for the weekend-IT MUST BE MALICE DOMESTIC. So if she could stay inside the RED TEA POT she would be taken to Malice Domestic and wouldn't need to see if she was picked.

"How did you get any MLGV while you were gone?" Callopie said she had found a bit here and there the first few days but once she was inside the RED TEA POT she realized if she got out to find MLGV she might not managed to get back in. Plus she had been so lonely after the first night that she had rolled in the pot to the sleeping spot in the pasture, where she always slept next to her brother, Sullivan. And they all woke up before she could roll away the next morning. Since then she had been trapped, almost found and all the while gotten very very very hungry.

We both sat quietly for a few minutes. Finally I said, "Callopie, this has been a very dangerous thing you have done. Rolling about in this strange place in the RED TEA POT. You're lucky no one thought it had been abandoned and decided they could then take it. And you worried all of us, especially your brother, Sullivan. I don't think I've ever seen him so worried. Plus, you haven't been fair insisting you must be chosen for the trip to Malice over others. That was not only rude but unfair. Every ovine in the pasture would like to be chosen." Callopie hung her head and soon I could hear Baa' who-whos quietly sounding. Esme wasn't along but I did my best to comfort her. Then I told her the moment we returned to the pasture she needed to appear, APOLOGIZE, and asked forgiveness. Of all the flock but most importantly, Sullivan. Then I told her we all loved her very much. I got her some MLGV and told her when the others were about she needed to stay in her RED TEA POT but could explore, but IN THE ROOM. Bit by Bit my Callopie began to return to herself. I knew by the time we returned home and the difficult task of asking forgiveness was over she would be back to the energetic questioning little ovine we all loved.

I think she has learned a great deal these last few days. Because not once since then has she pestered me about Malice and being picked for the Adventure.

You know.........I think she will be going.........but she will have to wait with all the others to find out. Case Closed~~~~ELLIS THE RAM

The Strange Case of the RED TEA POT

report from Sullivan

To update you on my hunt for Callopie I will now relate how my last few days have been. A bit challenging...a bit dangerous....a bit disappointing. But I am pleased to report I discovered that I am really quite good at being a DETECTIVE. Except, I didn't 'close my case', I still haven't located my sister.

When last we posted we had almost opened the RED TEA POT but were busted by Esme. Noah, Ovi, Fla'Lamb and I began to plan our next attempt to open the lid of the RED TEA POT. But before we finalized our plan, an unexpected event....Ellis the Ram announced to Noah, that in recognition of his hard work with the KOO, he was taking him on a weekend Adventure, with our HC Susan and her MPU Polly.

It happened so fast, as the next morning as I woke, they were leaving. It was then I noticed a strange occurrence, the RED TEA POT seemed to be going with them. Well, not WITH them, it seemed to be following them. Careful not to let them notice its presence, THE RED TEA slowly began rolling along, a distance behind. This RED TEA POT had become a very important object and somehow I felt it might know something of my sister, Callopie. It was then I decided to follow also. And just as this RED TEA POT was doing, I would also keep my distance and avoid being seen. I needed to know what the RED TEA POT was doing, why the RED TEA POT was doing it, and what it knew about my sister, CALLOPIE. So as Ellis and Noah moved down the sidewalk...and the RED TEA POT rolled quietly behind them...I waited for my opportunity.

It soon came as Ellis and Noah were helped into the back seat of the car, and our HC opened the trunk of the car and returned indoors for travel items. With great difficulty the RED TEA POT managed to get into the trunk. It did this by hooking its handle over a piece of luggage sitting by the car waiting for our HC to lift it into the trunk. Hmmm, why not me also. So I hurried back to the house and climbed inside a suit bag which had not yet been zipped closed, climbed in and burrowed under clothing. Next thing I knew I was being carried and put down...then I heard the trunk shut. Soon after the car was turned on and I could feel us moving. I was on my way.

A while later I awoke and realized I was being carried along on a wheeled item of some sort. Ellis and Noah didn't seem to be with us but it was then I detected a sound. A sound very much like a badly mis~shapen ball, rolling away. Quietly, I unzipped the suit bag and seeing the RED TEA POT about to leave this room full of luggage, I hopped out of the suit bag and followed.

Carefully through doors, down passageways, around columns and across floors the RED TEA POT, with me behind, traveled til we came to an elevator. This I knew was going to be tricky. If I should get into the same elevator as the RED TEA POT I no doubt would be noticed. Observing the RED TEA POT, as it seemed to be eavesdropping on several groups of HCs, he finally rolled into an elevator. Waiting, like I've seen on old movies our HC watches, I noted the elevator went right to the 15th floor. Now the problem, how to follow in another elevator going to the 15th floor and quickly. Luck was with me and the very next group of HCs were speaking of going to the same floor. I scooted around their legs and waited as they filled the elevator and pushed the button. When the door opened I had to crouch very low by the door {L: Long Range View and R: Close Up} and there right in front of me was the RED TEA POT and it was rolling away. SO I FOLLOWED......

The RED TEA POT started down the corridor {L: Long Range View and R: Close up} and carefully I followed. The the real challenge was coming next. As the RED TEA POT reach door number 25. A cart, the very cart I hopped down from to follow the RED TEA POT, was coming out of door number 25. As that happened the RED TEA POT easily rolled through it. I was a bit behind so hurrying behind, I barely managed to get in.

Actually 'getting in' wasn't exactly what happened. I was halfway in when the door closed on me. But not a bleat or a baa I uttered. {And believe me with this heavy door pinning me again the door frame this was NO small accomplishment!!!} But luck was with me again as from across the room Ellis turned and saw me. So pretending he was checking the floor along the wall along the corridor, he 'pretended' not to see the RED TEA POT and made his way down to the door where I was trapped.

With great effort he managed to pry the door off of me, allowing me to free myself and placing himself where I had been trapped. I have never been so proud to be a member of my flock. Ellis 'our' Ram was the best HEAD OF FLOCK in the world. I began to fear his fate wedged in the door but he whispered not to worry as our HC was fetching 'ice' and would soon be back and when she opened the door he would come with her into the room.

Quite soon our HC returned with the ice and as soon as she pushed the door open I heard her say..."Why Ellis, whatever are you doing stuck in this door. Hopefully not setting a bad example for Noah? Get up on the coffee table with Noah, I don't want either of you to get hurt or lost." It was then she saw me and asked Ellis why she didn't know he was bringing Sullivan. Then she saw it.....THE RED TEA POT. Asking her mother why she had brought it along this weekend instead of to Malice the next weekend.....Polly said she had not packed it at all and had no idea how it came to be packed.

But I knew how the RED TEA POT came to be sitting with us on the coffee table~~~The real question was WHY?

Sullivan

DIT {DETECTIVE IN TRAINING}

STILL NO CALLOPIE....BUT, A RED TEA POT

posted by Noah The Grey One for Sullivan

Sometime during the night I heard a noise but went right back to sleep. Mostly because it was just one sound and it didn't seem to wake up others in the flock. But in the morning as one by one we woke and greeted each other~there it was, a RED TEA POT? Sullivan was still asleep, due to his previous day being extremely tiring. Between his searching throughout the day for his sister, climbing up then down the stairs, into each room calling her name and poking about everywhere to check for her, he was exhausted. Plus he had started to sniffle a bit, probably due to the time he spent in the refrigerator searching and then having to wait til a HC reopened the door so he could exit.

But the rest of us immediately saw the RED TEA POT ! Slowly a few of us gathered about Sullivan and the RED TEA POT and nudged our friend Sullivan awake. Our first question was where did it come from and why was it in that spot, right next to Sullivan? After Sullivan chased the sleep out, he told us it was the same RED TEA POT he saw when he spoke with Polly to see if she knew where Callopie might be. And he told us it had been brought back from a Malice Domestic a few years before 'the flock'. Even before Ellis the Ram. Well, that meant the RED TEA POT was really really OLD.

We all discussed its strange appearance and most importantly why it was in THAT SPOT. Right next to Sullivan. Close to where Callopie normally slept? Odd, we all agreed. It was then we heard the muffled bleats and realized that this RED TEA POT was sitting on top of Fla'Lamb. Fortunately Fla'Lamb is already, well~FLAT, but it still couldn't be comfortable. Well, maybe for the RED TEA POT but certainly not for Fla'Lamb. We asked our flat friend if he wished us to fetch Ellis and Esme for help but after freeing his ear from under the RED TEA POT and to raising his head, he assured us that no, he was fine. Plus he said although the RED TEA POT was rather large it really wasn't heavy at all. Fla'Lamb explained he thought the RED TEA POT was empty, hollow. Which was a good thing as it was then we noticed 2 of the Magnet Gang had climbed to the upper part of the RED TEA POT.

Pepe and A. Fro~2 of the Magnet Gang climb the RED TEA POT

It was then A. Fro told us that the top seemed to be attached to the RED TEA POT, but only for a short distance. And both she and Pepe felt the RED TEA POT jiggle so they thought it was hollow. Ovi, Sullivan and I gathered around the bottom, Fla'Lamb underneath and now with Pepe and A. Fro climbing the RED TEA POT and insisting it was hollow, perhaps we could open it. That might make it easier to push it off of Fla'Lamb. So at least he would be able to move about.

So when A. Fro made it to the top of the RED TEA POT, we outlined our plan. Sullivan would move to the side with Ovi bracing him from behind and I directing the action from the front. First, using his nose, Sullivan would push open the top with help from Pepe and A. Fro. Ovi would then come from behind and climb over Sullivan to position himself along the open top, placing himself where it might add weight, to help lean it away. Then all 5 of use would push it off Fla'Lamb. It would take teamwork and cooperation but together we could achieve the results, to get the RED TEA POT off our Fla'Lamb.

As long as nothing unexpected interfered, Fla'Lamb would soon be free......we thought?

Noah, The Grey One

THEN THIS MORNING?

posted by Sullivan

We woke up with all in our usual spots, except Callopie, who as reported in "Overwhelmed", was missing. I had gone to Ellis and Esme yesterday morning to report my sister's absence, after first having searched the pasture thoroughly with no results. Ellis and Esme told me all would be OK and they would soon find my sister, but I was still scared. I've never woken up and found Callopie gone before and why would she be gone?

Ellis and Esme promised me it would turn our with Callopie safely home and very soon. I trust them......but my worry wouldn't leave. So I decided to keep looking. All day yesterday I looked. Under furniture, in closets, under the sink, nothing. I asked each member of the flock and then went back and asked them all again, nothing. I climbed up on window sills and looked behind curtains, nothing. I waited by the refrigerator door until my HC opened the door to get something out and I quickly crawled in before she shut the door. I looked on every shelf, under the cheese, down to the drawer where the fruit is stored, and flipped up the clear front of where the butter lay, nothing. Then I went down to the bottom shelf and very soon my HC opened the door to return an item to the refrigerator and I hopped out, nothing.

Still no sister. I wanted to call our "Callopie, are you hurt? Are you lost?" Nothing. And when the sun was gone I was so tired and so sad I didn't have anywhere else to search. And I was scared.

So I went to the cozy blue chair we had stayed while the painting man was working. But it wasn't empty. Sitting in the cozy blue chair was my HC's MPU, Polly. She was settling in for a while before going to resting place for the night and was sitting in her nightgown.

It was daunting to approach Polly as I knew she was resting before bed but finding Callopie was more important than my fears. So I looked up at her and asked "Have you seen my sister, Callopie?" Polly was so very nice and kind, she could see right away how worried I was. She leaned down and touched my head. "No" she said, "I'm afraid I haven't seen Callopie for, lets see..., since yesterday I believe. Isn't she in the pasture?" Then I told her about Callopie being gone and where I'd searched. Polly kindly agreed to keep an eye open and should she find my sister, or any hint of her, she would immediately call out for all to hear. I thanked her. It was then I noticed a big red............tea~pot?. It was sitting on a little stool next to Polly. I asked her what it was and she confirmed, yes it was a teapot. It was red, Callopie's favorite color. I asked what a big red teapot was doing sitting on the stool. Polly explained it was a bag HCs sometimes carry with important things and she had found it at Malice Domestic.

BOOM! Malice Domestic, a place Callopie wanted terribly to go. I told Polly it was very nice and turned to do a bit more searching before bedtime. I was getting very tired. I could hear Polly say goodnight to me as I walked away. Where was Callopie?

When I got to our bedtime place and the flock were settling down I told Noah, Ovi and 2 of the Magnet gang about my day. Just as I was falling asleep I said "Oh, yea. There was this big red teapot bag which our HCs MPU got at Malice Domestic. We all settled in to sleep, I just hoped when I woke in the next morning, Callopie would be in her spot, I miss her.

Sullivan

BACK AT THE SHORE

posted by Esme the Ewe

******

Ellis the Ram and I, spent our first day getting this adventure's Ovines settled in for the last days of our HCs MPU's winter at the beach. So nice to be back and also happy to see the MPU is doing well. 2 walkers and a never ending effort to enjoy each day despite the issues of age, I always find her Let's Go spirit admirable.

******

It was a difficult decision as to who would come to the beach this time. Ellis the Ram and I naturally. Although I would always wish to bring our entire flock, that just wouldn't be possible. Adventures are both EDUCATIONAL as well as a reward for positive flock manners. But also a selection to go on an adventure can be a lesson or an incentive for an Ovine. So Ellis the Ram and I gave the selections our usual due diligence.

******

Much to my surprise Sullivan and Callopie decided to stay in the pasture. Heaven knows what Callopie will have gotten into while we are away. So of the original 7 of our last beach adventure, only 5 need be considered. We thought Ovi might elect to stay behind with his mentor Sullivan. But after asking Ovi just that question, he said he would like to try going on an adventure without Sullivan, just to see how he would manage on his own. That left Noah and Piper.

******

Piper has been very quiet lately, well since the Updates from the Flock are complete I believe he is a bit adrift. I fear we may have to again deal with his Eggplant issues. As I am a bit concerned over Piper, I felt it best he join us. Strangely he seemed neither pleased or disappointed but resigned. {Yes, we will need to keep a wary eye on our Piper}.

******

Ah, Noah. Our Noah has been both a gift of support, thoughtfulness and well considered ideas as of late. He deserved another trip.

******

And that left a few spots if we wished to bring a few more Ovines. Then our Noah again made an excellent suggestion. He felt that this time we should bring the KOO along to reward them for sharing their story with the flock. And to encourage them to continue learning and experiencing things which truly frighten them. Plus Noah said "We need to show them the proper way to go on an Adventure so they don't stow away again. Stowing away can be dangerous and is not fair to others on the adventure." "Well done Noah" Ellis the Ram exclaimed, the KOO will complete the Ovines going on this adventure. Piling into the vehicle we left on the 22nd, settled in that evening and the next day~~~a surprise. An Art Show.

******

ESME THE EWE

Boy's Day Out

BOY'S DAY OUT !!!!!

posted by Sullivan, Ovi, and Himhe

Today our head of flock, Ellis the Ram gave us quite a gift. Our HC and her MPU were going to a luncheon~~and they told Ellis if he wished to send any of the flock, he could. Of course, Calliope immediately began BBBing, bleating to be chosen. But to our surprise he announced that today he was declaring the adventure a BOY'S DAY OUT. Of course, we had expected Ellis, Willy, and the 3 of us to be going. No, it was explained a boy's day not a Male Ovine day. And as Ellis and Willy are elders in our Flock that meant US !!!! As I Sullivan am the oldest of the 3, it was my responsibility to make sure we minded our manners. Hey, the 3 of us are on the 'quiet' side of the flock so I assured Ellis all would go well.

******

Enjoying the morning view of the Ocean we said goodbye and departed.

*

The car ride was great fun and we all buckled up to be safe. Arriving at the restaurant we went inside and our MPU selected the table and we settled in.

As you can see we gathered on the table and had a lovely view behind us. Naturally the HCs at the table all questioned our purpose. Based on that question it seems there were 5 HCs at the table who 'get it'. The 6th HC we eventually realized was one who did 'not get it', but was polite none-the-less, except.....more later regarding a comment. We positioned ourselves in the middle of the humans eating surface while we met each at the table. Naturally our HC and her MPU we skip.

While our table~mates~ Arlene and Jim, Lucy and Polly, reviewed their menus. Ovi, having taken to Polly moved over to sit next to her. We discreetly wished to read their menus. Not that we expected to have a Ovine lunch option of MGLV. We really wanted to check there was no human food being offered which was made from US ! Fortunately saw no Lamb Stew, no Roast Leg of Lamb, and THANKFULLY no Lamb Chops. I have no idea how we would have gotten back, but if there had been Ovine on the menu but we certainly would have left. What if the chef ran short and began looking our way? Or if we overheard other attendees selecting Ovine items for their meals. Or, DFH, humans at our table selected such meals. Luckily none of that occurred since Ovine wasn't on the menu. But always best to exercise due diligence in these matters.

The lunch went fairly well and although all but Polly C., had little interaction with us, everyone was very polite and we enjoyed their chatter. Polly C. quickly formed a bond with our Ovi and he moved his bowl~bed by her plate. Once actually teasing her by hiding under his bowl~bed while she was away from the table and wiggling to shake his bowl~bed when she returned and prompted an inquiry on his disappearance. I spent the consuming portion of the event on the handle of Polly's walker. Polly was very nice.....and fun. Polly GETS IT.

Finally the meal ended and a nice young man came by to clear away the table. Our HC still had half a bowl of salad which she told the young man she would be taking home with her. Then she winked at us and we knew the bowl of salad would be our MLGV treat for behaving so nicely. Himhe ? He enjoyed his time in the center of the table. When the time came to leave, Ovi and Himhe raced to a clear box full of MLGV, like a game of KING OF THE HILL they made it to the top of the box together. Then I joined them !

&&&&&&&&& After such a fun afternoon we were quite glad to be home. We told Ellis of our adventure and he told us tonight it would make a fine bedtime tale to sent the flock before sleep. But that was much later. Tired, we 3 boys decided the best way to end an adventure was with a nice nap.....even Ovi was so tired he decided to fore go his bowl~bed {although it was close by}.

WE WENT BELLY UP !

Oh, Lucy the nice lady who 'didn't get it'. How did we know that? When we were preparing to leave and the humans were saying their goodbyes..........she said to our HC's MPU that perhaps next time she could tell her OU {our HC} to leave her 'toys' at home. She wasn't mean sounding or ill mannered but we could tell she was serious. TOYS ? Good thing Ellis, Esme or horrors Calliope not in attendance. Results would not have been pretty. We all felt sorry for Lucy. Imagine being one who 'doesn't get it'.

THE BOYS

SULLIVAN~~~OVI~~~HIMHE