What a mess. After a
generation of poor stewardship, Old Hickstew had let the farm
turn into the oddest farm around (although it was unique in more
ways than one). And now another letter had arrived, telling him
again it was time to move. Not that this was anything different,
the first letter had told him all he needed to know – ‘you can’t
keep all these animals here’.
He could see they were
right. Things had changed over the years Perhaps he had said 'Yes'
just once too often to those animals he thought might be good to
keep, and maybe even good to eat. At the last inventory (over 5
years ago) they had –
4
Kangaroos
3
Flamingos
4
Ducks
4 Ibis
1
Tiger
1 Lion
2
Chimpanzees
3
Snakes
5
Otters
1
Elephant
5
Warthogs
7
Alligators
8
Hedgehogs
3
Monkeys
2
Rabbits
The day of the move was
here and it was time to collect them all up in the van ready for
their new home. He was careful to write down the exact number of
animals that would be transported - he didn't want more
trouble.
The Kangaroos first,
although he remembered one had jumped the fence years ago and never
been seen since. Next the Flamingos, then the Ducks, 3 of which
were missing presumed cooked. Now the Ibis, but search as he did
there was no sign of the Tiger, but he did find the Lion. Both
Chimpanzees were missing but that wasn’t surprising. As soon as
they came to the farm they were off through the trees never to be
seen again. All the Otters came next followed by the Warthogs, but
none of the snakes were left and the largest animal he had taken in
was also gone, and you can’t miss an Elephant. Nearly there – now
the Alligators, and before them the Hedgehogs. Finally the Rabbits
and 2 of the Monkeys. Just when he was about to give up the last
Monkey appeared, bounded onto Old Hickstew’s head and into the
van.
Old Hickstew quickly
bolted the van door. Unfortunately the last Monkey had caused him
to drop all the letters he was carrying. He looked down at the
letters realising they were out of order now; still it was only the
first letter he needed, the one that gave him the location of the
new farm.
Perhaps if you are lucky
you can go see Old Hickstew’s new place. You’ll see some of the
animals – take some bread so the ducks say QUACK. But leave the
crow alone, he knows nothing about this !!
You can check your answers for this puzzle on
Geochecker.com.