Grateful Bo Peep

Little Bo Peep who always tended to her sheep enjoyed her flock. She loved animals more than people because she felt as if they would actually listen to and love her more than any human ever could. She did not know it, but she was constantly watched by a man named Big Benny Beep. Benny Beep felt as if the docile sheep loving girl would be the perfect target for his misplaced anger. Benny Beep had just lost money in a huge bet and needed an outlet.

One night when Bo Peep went in her small home for the night after her day with the sheep, Benny rounded up her sheep and went away with them. He thought of what to do to the sheep and he decided to place a tight rubber ring around their tails. Bo Peep was devastated her sheep were gone and wept for them. After a few days, the sheep tails finally fell and then Benny placed the sheep back.

Bo Peep was so ecstatic the next day when she found that the sheep were back as she examined them. She realized all of their large tails were shorter than before. She was very happy and pleased that they were shorter because they were too big for the sheep to be able to swat flies off of themselves. She wondered who did the random favor as she looked around for a possible clue.

In the grass of her pasture, she finally came across a small pocket knife. The person who helped with the sheep tails had to be the one who dropped the knife. She decided to hop onto her horse and travel around to ask people who the knife belonged to. After talking to a few people, she became aware of a man named Benny. When she asked how he could be found though, everyone told her he was just always "here and there."

The next few days she always stayed observant while she tended to the sheep to see if the man would come back for his knife. Benny was frustrated that he dropped his knife. He was not usually the one to leave evidence, but something about that day had him feeling a bit off like what he was doing wasn't exactly the same as his usual antics. Benny was once again watching her from behind some bushes while Bo Peep was paying attention enough to be able to spot him looking from afar. She started after him and yelled, "Benny!" while waving his knife in the air. He freaked out and started running. She chased after him a while until she tripped on her skirts and lost him.

The next few days after that she waited to see if he would come around again. She was always scanning for Benny, but for a bit he must not have wanted to take the risk to try and watch her again. He finally came back around and walked up to Bo Peep with a look of embarrassment and horror on his face while he stammered out, "Y-y-you have m-m-my knife."

"Oh yes, here you are," she handed him the knife, "Thank you for cutting the sheep's tails by the way."

Benny's face became instantly confused, "You are thanking me?"

"Of course, their big tail were too much for them and I would have hated to cut them of myself. Was a little scary when they were gone for a bit and then reappeared though."

"Oh, well I just like to work quietly," he scratched his head.

"I definitely understand that. Want to come in and have some cake?" she asked him.

"Yeah, that would be great, thanks," he followed her into her home and she placed a slice in front of him with a mug of coffee.

"What do you do around here? Every time I tried asking for you, people just said that you were here and there," she wondered.

"Nothing good," he responded.

"You did good for me. I am grateful," she sat down with a cup of coffee and cake slice herself.

"That was not the plan," he shifted uncomfortable while swallowing cake.

"What wasn't the plan?"

"I thought I was playing a nasty trick on you. I did not know you wanted their tails off. I thought I was hurting them," he chugged down coffee quickly in case he was forced to leave. What a shame it would be to be invited somewhere instead of forced away just for the moment to end so quickly.

"Oh, of course it wasn't what I thought. It never is," she sighed while he started abruptly laughing and she had to ask why.

"Oh it is just... here you would think I'd know that since I was watching you for a good bit first."

"You are used to hiding out in those bushes then. Guess I never mentioned anything about the tails," she giggled

"Guess not. I am definitely not the hope you are looking for. I am a thief and con artist."

"Yet you are the only person who has done me a favor. I will pay you for your help," she went to go grab him some money for the job and handed him what seemed fair, "There you go, you have now officially done good work. You could even start helping me around here with the farm. You could just start staying here instead of wandering about the town."

"Oh, I guess I could," he held his hand out for a handshake and she instead gave him a hug. From then on Bo Peep and Benny Beep became close friends helping each other to tend to the farm. They finally had someone to share their thoughts to that wasn't an animal or a passerby. The tales of Benny Beep's travels entertained Bo Peep, making her laugh and cry. They became great companions in life and the lonely Bo Peep was glad Benny Beep came and stole her sheep so that they could eventually meet.