A Mother Goose Story

Grandmother finished reading a book of Mother Goose rhymes to Rosie and her friend, Nola.

“I like those rhymes,” said Nola.

“Me, too,” Rosie said. “Let’s make up a Mother Goose story together.”

“Good idea,” said Nola.

*

Once upon a time there was a little girl named Bo Peep. She always watched over her sheep. But one day something terrible happened. She lost them. So she set out at once to find them.

She walked and walked until she met two children on a hill. “I have lost my sheep,” Bo Peep called. “Have you seen them?”

“Sorry, but we have not,” Jack said.

“We are climbing this hill to fetch a pail of water,” said Jill.

Bo Peep walked on until she came to a big egg sitting on top of a wall. “I have lost my sheep,” said Bo Peep. “Have you seen them?”

“Nope,” answered Humpty Dumpty. “I can’t turn to look or I might fall.”

Bo Peep walked on until she came to a maiden in a garden. “I have lost my sheep,” said Bo Peep. “Have you seen them?”

“No, my dear,” answered Mistress Mary. “I’m trying to plant silver bells and cockle shells.”

Bo Peep walked on until she came to five little pigs on a farm. “I have lost my sheep,” said Bo Peep. “Have you seen them?”

“I can’t talk now,” replied the biggest pig. “I’m rushing off to market.”

Bo Peep sighed and wiped a tear from her eye. Finally she turned and started back. Just as she arrived at her house, she heard something.

“Baaa baaa baaa.”

“My sheep!” she cried happily. “I left them alone and they came home. And there they are--wagging their tails behind them.”

Rosie and Nola smiled. Together they said, “The end.”

*

Nancy Smiler Levinson knows that Mother Goose rhymes can help give very young children a good start toward a love of language. This story will be on The Times’ Web site at www.latimes.com/kids.