At Grandma’s place, though everyone calls her Lady Shazzy Boo—the sun peeks over Maungatautari Maunga. On the deck of Uncle Eggy Pops’ tiny house, two cats wait, Mea and Bear. Their whiskers twitch as they sit side by side. They were waiting, as they always did, for a saucer of warm milk. “What strange things will today bring?” asked Channel, trotting around the corner with her tail wagging high. “Adventure, I hope!” cried Raven, who was forever dreaming of escapes across the paddocks and into the neighbour’s fields. Nearby, Texas grumbles to his best mate, Chop Sticks, who is busy rolling in the dirt. “We never get to have any fun, mate.” But Texas is wrong. Very wrong. Because on Lady Shazzy Boo’s farm…no day is ever the same. And today? Well— today’s surprise might just change everything.

Meanwhile, inside the big house, Lady Shazzy Boo was getting ready. Her mokopuna were on their way! From Te Waipounamu came Queen Balloon (Arabelle), Princess Lulu (Florence), and Prince Walkie Talkie (Antoine) —together with Mama Bear Jacqueline and Papa Bear Lucky a Tanya. Soon, more mokopuna would arrive too—Sweet Pea Samantha and Whitebait Jack—with Aunty Tui Feather and Frankton Fritter Cribbie from Tuwharetoa. It was going to be a very full house indeed.

Out in the yard, Mea sniffed the hay. “I smell something funny. Do any of you?” “Let’s check the barn and see!” barked Raven. “Could be cookies for tea!” wagged Channel. “Maybe it’s treasure we’ll find,” giggled Coco. Texas just snorted and stomped his feet while Chop Sticks rolled with a cheery oink and Bear tiptoed behind with a thoughtful blink. Together they hurried, friends strong and true. Chasing down adventure, as fast as they flew! But…Texas could not follow. And neither could Chop Sticks. They were stuck behind a gate. With a latch. And that was that. So they watched as the others roared past the drive, around the corner, and out of sight.

From the distance came the sound of tyres on gravel—crunch, crunch, crunch. Texas’s ears flicked back. His great frame stiffened. He knew that sound. Visitors! He let out a heavy sigh. “Well, that’s the end of peace,” he muttered. No one listened. Chop Sticks was still half-asleep and the others were gone. Down by the big house voices rose, laughter spilled, excitement bubbled everywhere. Coco, Raven, and Channel spun in wild circles at the gate. They barked, they bounced, tails wagging furiously. The car stopped. Out stepped Queen Balloon, Princess Lulu, and Prince Walkie Talkie! A royal entrance, straight from Te Waipounamu. The farm was alive now. Alive with Lady Shazzy Boo’s ever-growing whānau. Meanwhile…

Mea had vanished into the apple tree, perched high among the leaves, watching it all with a flick of her tail. Bear had wandered off too. Probably dreaming of warm milk and quiet. Then, as if royalty weren’t enough, Aunty Tui Feather appeared! Behind her skipped Sweet Pea Samantha, followed by Whitebait Jack and Frankton Fritter Cribbie from Tuwharetoa trundled along too. And finally, from his tiny house came Uncle Eggy Pop. He blinked at the crowd and scratched his head, muttering with a grin, “They’re all here, alright.” The farm buzzed and bustled. Laughter. Barking. Mooing. Shouting. From the edge of his paddock, Texas gave a grumble. Always grumbling. But even he could feel it now—a tingle in the air, a hum in the breeze. Something new was about to unfold. Something even a grump like Texas couldn’t stop from happening.

Texas snorted, nostrils flaring. “Look at them all, Chop Sticks—running around like headless chooks! Noisy critters!” Chop Sticks squinted. “Have you… ever seen a headless chook?” Texas froze. “What?!” Chop Sticks gave a full-body shiver, rolling in the dirt for extra drama. “Spooky!” Texas groaned. But his loud neigh boomed across the paddock—louder than he meant. Queen Balloon’s eyes lit up. “Oooh, Lady Shazzy Boo! Can we go see Texas? Pleeeeease?” “Yesss, pleeease!” echoed Princess Lulu and Prince Walkie Talkie, bouncing on their toes. Lady Shazzy Boo tilted her hat, mischief sparkling in her eye. “Alright then… let’s go see Texas.”

“I’ll take them!” volunteered Sweet Pea Samantha. Texas’s eyes went wide. The whole group turned. Up the hill they came— a noisy, chattering crowd, straight toward him. His ears flattened. His hooves dug into the ground. A groan rumbled in his chest. “Nooooo…” he muttered. Down below—Raven barked with delight. “Is this part of a game?” she teased, her dark coat flashing in the sun. Channel grinned ear to ear. “Lady Shazzy Boo always loves a game!” She bounced on her paws, ready to leap right in. Finally, with a long, lazy stretch, Chop Sticks rolled to his feet. He gave a slow oink, as if it were far too much trouble. But his eyes followed the crowd and he began to plod along anyway.

And then just when Texas thought it couldn't get any worse... Lady Shazzy Boo appeared with her hat on a askew holding three things... a bucket full of water, a bowl full of apples and a large straw hat. What could she want with those?!

Sweet Pea Samantha slipped a halter over Texas’s head and gave him a tickle behind the ears. Ooooh, that feels good, thought Texas as she led him to the gate. Samantha handed brushes to Queen Balloon and Princess Lulu. “We have to clean him up before we can ride,” she explained. Texas stood perfectly still while they brushed. Ooooh, that feels good, he thought again, though he tried not to show it. Their little hands swept away the dust, smoothed his mane, and even combed through his long tail. He could’ve stood there all day. But too soon, they were done. Then Texas spotted the bucket, the apples, and the big straw hat. Apple bobbing! Coco and Raven barked and bounced while each mokopuna took turns. It turned into a race—who could grab the apple fastest? Chop Sticks, the cheeky poaka, snatched every apple that hit the ground. Too delicious to resist! Even Texas got a share of the half-bitten ones. Crunch, crunch! Before long, everyone was wet, tired, and laughing—even grumpy old Texas himself!

Lady Shazzy Boo called, "Let’s have a parade!" Raven barked proudly, "woof woof!" Texas trotted first, tail in the breeze, Channel followed, moving with ease. Coco twirled, showing off her fur, Chop Sticks oinked and grunted hunting for more apples... just in case some got missed. Queen Balloon, and Princess Lulu rode Texas while Prince Walkie Talkie walked in front leading the way with Sweet Pea Samantha round the paddock, out through the gate and past the barn.

Soon it was time to pack it all in and head back down to the big house. Texas gave a little snort. “So soon?” Chop Sticks yawned wide and stretched long. “Tomorrow’s a fresh new day,” he said. On the gate, Bear appeared. Whiskers twitching, tail flicking. He licked his back leg with care. “On this farm,” he purred, “no one day is the same.” The tamariki helped Sweet Pea Samantha and Whitebait Jack put the brushes, saddle, and bridle away. Down the hill, Lady Shazzy Boo was already striding toward the big house, her hat tipping further and further askew as she waved her arms, laughing with Aunty Tui Feather, Frankton Fritter Cribbie, and Uncle Eggy Pop. "Lets finish the day with a bonfire and roasted marshmallows" declared Lady Shazzy Boo.

All the farm animals were tucked safely in their beds. On the porch, Raven, Coco, and Channel curled under a blanket. Out in the dark, Mea and Bear padded softly, hunting beneath the stars. From his straw bed in the barn, Texas saw the glow of the fire. Laughter and singing rose from the big house, floating up the hill to where he stood. Beside him, Chop Sticks was already snoring, a soft, squeaky snuffle in the quiet night. It has been a good day, Texas thought. A day full of surprises. His eyes grew heavy. “I wonder what tomorrow will bring…” he whispered, before slipping into sleep—not grumpy at all, but quietly happy, after an adventure of his very own.