Me: Why has Harriet climbed up there?
Nell: It’s a game.
Me: Does she want to be Queen of the Castle?
Nell: What castle?
Me: You know. ‘I’m the Queen of the Castle
Get down you dirty rascal.’
Nell: If anyone is a dirty rascal, then it’s Poppy, not me. Look at those muddy legs.
Me: Yes, I’m afraid Poppy is being a little wild at the moment.
Nell: I think it’s all that baking. The demand for scones has doubled.
Me: Yes. The trouble with Poppy’s scones is once you’ve tried one, you can’t go back.
Nell: I think you will find both David and Amanda Panda go back several times.
Me: So what is the game?
Nell: Counting Cows. You must have played it.
Me: No, I’ve never even heard of it.
Nell: We always play it when we are out on our walk.
Me: Do you?
Nell: Yes. Kev is very good at it.
Me: How do you play then?
Nell: You count the cows.
Me: Tell me what to do.
Nell: Alright. ‘Excuse me, could you tell me how
I am supposed to count a cow?’
Me: I love it.
Nell: ‘To count a cow, did you just say?
Are you sure you want to play?’
Me: Go on.
Nell: ‘Yes, I’m sure as sure can be.
Should I clap my paws, should I climb a tree?’
Me: I’m not very good at climbing trees.
Nell: That doesn’t matter. May I continue?
Me: Yes.
Nell: ‘No need for trees, just take a bow,
Then shout to the world ‘I’m counting NOW.”
Me: But what if I see more cows than you do and it takes me longer?
Nell: Stop questioning everything. Sometimes you just need to have fun and go with it.
Me: You’re right. Sorry.
