Parley, a happy little boy with light brown hair and large brown eyes hidden beneath a cowboy hat, skips out onto the porch in his boots, eager for the day. His mother kneels beside flowerpots, sorting seed packets, and he rushes over with a grin. "Mama, can I help with the garden today? I want to plant all the seeds!" His mother laughs warmly, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek, and hands him a small trowel.
Parley drops to his knees, enchanted by a shiny green beetle. He giggles, letting it crawl over his tiny finger before it scurries away. Soon, he chases after a yellow butterfly, his laughter ringing through the air. "Look, Mama! The butterfly likes the flowers too!" His mother smiles, watching as he gently presses tomato seeds into the earth, covering them with care. "Tomatoes are my favorite. I want them to grow big and juicy!"
The family gathers for a simple picnic, sharing stories and laughter. Parley nibbles at his sandwich, eyes bright as he listens to his older brothers joke about the cows. His mother wipes his hands and tousles his hair. "After lunch, can we go see the cows? Maybe they'll let me pet them today!"
Parley runs up to the fence with his father and brothers, all stopping in awe. The calf, brown with white spots and a soft, fuzzy coat, stumbles on wobbly legs as its mother stands protectively nearby. "Look! A baby cow! She's so little!" His father nods and suggests, "What should we name her, Parley?""Buttercup! Because she's soft like butter and pretty like a flower." that sounds perfect! she is yours to keep and care for! Yay! Shouted Parley, Thank you, I have always wanted one!
Parley rests his chin on the fence, utterly enchanted, as Buttercup lifts her head and blinks at him with big, curious eyes. His brothers whisper about how fast she'll grow, and his father tells tales of raising calves long ago. " I help take care of her every day" His father ruffles his hair, "Of course, partner. Buttercup will need a good friend like you."
With a splash, Parley kicks off his boots and wades in, laughing as his brothers dive and his father splashes water playfully. Dragonflies skim the surface, and the world feels peaceful and whole. "This is the best day ever!" As the sun begins to dip, the family gathers their things, hearts full and spirits light, knowing that days like this are treasures on the farm.
