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In a sun-lit pasture at WindReach Farm, Regina stands among bright green grass gently nuzzling a wooden fence post, morning light glinting on her creamy shaggy coat and casting soft shadows from nearby wildflowers.
Sunshine danced over WindReach Farm’s green fields. Regina, a creamy, shaggy goat, gave soft nuzzles. Today, a tiny ache tickled her heart. Am I important, she wondered. She trotted to find out.
Outside the red barn on a late-morning farmyard, Abbey gleams as two laughing children brush her shiny flank, while Regina stands a few steps behind near a hay bale, ears drooped under clear sunshine.
She met Abbey the horse, mane glowing like sunrise. Kids brushed Abbey and giggled. I help children feel strong and brave, Abbey said. Regina’s ears drooped. I don’t do that, she murmured.
Beside a wooden picnic table in the afternoon pasture, Barry stands proudly, his cloud-like wool catching bright light as he invites curious visitors’ hands, while Regina watches from a low stump, tail sagging amid scattered clover.
Barry the ram shuffled over, wool like a cloud. Feel fluff, he boasted. I keep everyone warm with mittens and blankets. Regina’s tail sagged. I don’t do that, she sighed, stepping away.
In the shaded barn doorway during midday heat, Lady poses with calm eyes as excited visitors lift smartphones for photos, straw glowing golden behind her, while Regina lingers at the edge, hooves shuffling uneasily.
Lady the cow greeted visitors with moos and long-lashed eyes. People laughed and snapped photos. I make everyone feel welcome, Lady said. Regina shuffled her hooves. I don’t do that, she whispered.
On the sunny gravel path beside the chicken coop, Lily struts like a fluffy pom-pom under clear blue sky, visitors giggling and pointing, as Regina stands nearby by a feed bucket, swallowing hard with wide brown eyes.
Lily the Silkie chicken strutted by, feathers fluffy as dandelion puffs. Visitors giggled at her show. I make people smile by being me, Lily chirped. Regina gulped. I don’t do that, she said.
Near the pasture gate in warm afternoon light, Hank lowers his wise head while two children stroke his neck and count slow breaths, tall ears casting long shadows; a few steps away Regina watches, head lowered beside a water trough.
Hank the donkey ambled over, ears tall and wise. I teach steady steps and listening, he brayed. Kids stroke my neck and practice patience. Regina nodded sadly. I don’t do that, she whispered.
At a quiet muddy puddle behind the tool shed, Regina gazes at her round reflection beneath overcast afternoon skies, a breeze ruffling her creamy coat and rippling the water beside scattered maple leaves.
Regina wandered to a quiet puddle and saw her round reflection. I feel smaller than a pebble, she sighed. What about me? A breeze ruffled her coat. She waited, unsure.
In the gravel driveway under bright midday sun, a yellow school bus idles, its doors open, while children spill out like popcorn, waving toward the pasture fence and shouting for Regina, who stands surprised near a blooming daisy patch.
A yellow school bus squeaked to a stop. Children tumbled out like popcorn. Where’s Regina? I want her first! She gives the best cuddles! voices cheered. Regina blinked. Me?
Inside the grassy petting area beneath soft afternoon light, Regina stands solid while several kids hug her neck, and a smiling child in a wheelchair gently rests a hand on her shaggy shoulder; nearby volunteers wave approvingly beside a signpost.
The kids rushed over, arms around her soft neck. Regina stood steady and warm. A child in a wheelchair rested a hand, smiling quietly. Volunteers waved. We knew you’d shine, they called.
On the barn porch in golden late-afternoon light, a teacher kneels at Regina’s side, speaking softly, while a volunteer stands nearby with a reassuring smile; Regina’s brown eyes shine, straw bales and hanging flower baskets framing the cozy scene.
A teacher knelt. You help everyone feel safe and comforted, she said. A volunteer added, You make the farm feel like home. Warmth bloomed in Regina’s heart, bigger than strength, wool, welcomes, or fluff.
Beside a white fence at dusk, Regina lowers her head and exhales calmly, nostrils stirring twilight dust; a shy child mirrors her slow breath then giggles, reaching up to stroke the goat’s cheek as fireflies begin to glimmer.
A shy child hesitated nearby. Regina breathed slow, and the child matched her gentle rhythm. You’re okay with me, Regina seemed to say. The child giggled and stroked her cheek. See? Brave now.
In the barnyard bathed in warm sunset glow, Regina stretches to nuzzle Abbey’s neck while Barry stands nearby, his wool catching orange light; the weathered barn and lengthening shadows create a peaceful, homey tableau.
Evening painted the barns golden. Abbey, Barry, Lady, Lily, and Hank gathered around. Regina nuzzled them gratefully. I am the really important goat, she bleated. I make our farm feel like home.
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