Lisa Moser - Cowboy Boyd and Mighty Calliope

Text copyright 2013 by Lisa Moser
Jacket art and interior illustrations copyright 2013 by Sebastiaan Van Doninck All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Random House Childrens Books, a division of Random House, LLC, a Penguin Random House Company, New York. Random House and the colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, LLC. Visit us on the Web!
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RHTeachersLibrarians.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Moser, Lisa.
Cowboy Boyd and Mighty Calliope / by Lisa Moser ; illustrated by Sebastiaan Van Doninck. 1st ed.
p. bdg.) ISBN 978-0-375-98079-4 (ebook)
[1. bdg.) ISBN 978-0-375-98079-4 (ebook)
[1.

CowboysFiction. 2. RhinocerosesFiction. 3. Ranch lifeFiction.] I. II. II.

Title.
PZ7.M84696Cow 2013 [Fic]dc23 2012025379 Random House Childrens Books supports the First Amendment and celebrates the right to read. v3.1 For Spotty, Hawkeye, and Coachthe three dogs in my life, who have shared their love, understanding, and joy
Love, L.M.For Ed and Mie, my fantastic parents S.V.D.

No doubt about it, folks knew Boyd and Calliope
were different the moment they rode onto the Double R Ranch. Thats the shortest horse Ive ever seen, said Slim. Thats the dustiest horse Ive ever seen, said Hardtack. Thats the lumpiest horse Ive ever seen, said Rancher Rose. Shes a rare one, said Boyd.

Raised her myself. He patted Calliopes thick hide and slid out of the saddle. Were looking for a place to call home. Wed be mighty obliged if you let us work on your ranch. I suppose we could try it, said Rancher Rose, eyeing Calliope. You wont regret it, said Boyd.

I got a real strong belief in Calliope. Fence mending was the first chore. Calliope did a good job hauling fence posts. KER-THUD, KER-THUD, KER-THUD. But it took a long time. I call that real talent, said Boyd. I call that real unusual, said Slim.

I call that real slow, said Hardtack. Calliopes not a sprinter. Shes more of a plodder, said Boyd, rubbing her dusty nose. But shes real steady. Rancher Rose shook her head. We moved the cattle to the north pasture, said Rancher Rose.

You and Calliope ride out on the range and bring home any strays you find. Count on us! said Boyd, plodding off on Calliope. KER-THUD, KER-THUD, KER-THUD. We found some strays, said Boyd. Calliope wagged her tail. Thats a prairie dog, said Hardtack. Thats a coyote! said Rancher Rose. They were drawn to Calliopes natural friendliness, said Boyd, giving Calliope a hug. They were drawn to Calliopes natural friendliness, said Boyd, giving Calliope a hug.

Like chicks to a hen. Rancher Rose shook her head. She pumped fresh water into the trough. You two show Boyd where to bunk. Ill finish here. When the horses and Calliope finished drinking, Rancher Rose opened the pasture gate.

Off to bed, she said. KER-THUD, KER-THUD, KER-THUD. Calliope plodded to the pasture and BLAM! Straight through the pasture fence. BLAM! Straight through the barn wall. BLAM! Straight through the bunkhouse door. She just doesnt know her own strength, said Boyd, tucking Calliope in.