Yods Bus
Yods Bus written by Sue Heys, illustrated by Sarah Louise Bishop
Yod had been working with the animals teaching them about happiness.
Then, one evening just as the huge red sun was setting in the West, Owl sent out an urgent message for everyone to come quickly and gather in the golden cornfield. He was holding a letter and waving it this way and that for all to see. It was a very important looking letter addressed simply to “Everyone”.
“It’s an invitation” he said excitedly “It’s from Yod.”
“Read it, read it”, shouted all the animals before letting a hush fall over the field.
Owl began to slowly and very carefully read the words.
“Tomorrow is the day of your test,
Remember what I told you and just do your best
I’ll send a bus at half past eight
All of you must come and don’t be late.”
And so it was
That all the animals were queuing in a line
Paws crossed that the bus would be on time.
Each dressed up in their very very best
Each one hoping to pass Yod’s test.
All that is except for one
Whose coat was dirty and his shoes undone,
He’d been working hard all through the night
Making sure his sister mice looked just right.
“I can’t go,” he said, “looking such a mess
I know for a start I’ll fail Yod’s test”
The bus came along not a minute late
It came exactly at half past eight.
All the animals got on except a tiny little mole
Who was crying at the roadside, and wishing for his hole.
Cow had stood on him in the rush to get a seat
And didn’t even notice he was under her feet,
But rabbit from the window saw him yelp
Got off the bus and ran to him to offer him his help
“Don’t go,” said the others
“The bus can’t wait.
Yod has called us
And we mustn’t be late”
The bus went on down the windy road
They all saw badger struggling with a load
Some looked this way and some looked that
They tried to ignore him rat a tat tat,
But Hedgehog’s heart was open wide
His feelings for badger he could not hide.
He jumped from his seat and was not too late
“Don’t go,” said the others
“The bus can’t wait
To help the badger with his great big weight.
Yod has called us
And we mustn’t be late”
Over in some fields by the side of a gate
A little robin redbreast had come to wait.
He only had one wing and couldn’t fly
And there was a cat snooping by.
“Oh No!” clucked hen flip flap fly
“That poor little bird will surely die”
She took off from the bus
Flapped her wings high
And chased off the cat that was snooping by.
“Don’t go,” said the others
“The bus can’t wait
Yod has called us
And we mustn’t be late”
Just a little further on
By an old stone wall
Came the sound of bleating from a lamb so small,
Her coat was stuck on an old bit of wire
She was cold and lonely and very, very tired
Cow saw her trouble
She could hardly stand to look
She got off the bus and freed her from the old rusty hook
“Don’t go,” said the others
“The bus can’t wait
Yod has called us
And we mustn’t be late”
Squirrel in the branches at the top of a tree
Was scurrying round collecting nuts for his tea.
A loud Crash Bang made him jump
Down he fell and would have landed with a bump
But happily for squirrel the bus was passing by
And the falling little animal caught deer’s eye
Quick as a flash she leapt from above.
And caught the falling animal in arms full of love.
“Don’t go,” said the others
“The bus can’t wait.
Yod has called us
And we mustn’t be late”
When goose heard a bark from a frightened little dog
Left by himself on a slippery log
He looked round the bus to see who was still on
But no one was- the number was none!
He saw that he was now the last
It would have to be him and he’d better move fast
If little brown dog was not to be drowned
In the rushing, swirling water that was all around.
It was an empty bus that arrived at Yod’s place,
But a great big smile spread over his face.
He punched the air and leapt up high.
“Yes, Yes!” he shouted and do you know why?
Well, just in case you haven’t guessed
Every one of the animals had passed his test!
They had learnt Yod’s lesson that the very best way
To be truly truly happy every day
Is to help each other ——-
Come what may!
