SLEEPING TURTLES, FAINTING GOATS, AND STUNNED BIRDS

OCTOBER 11, 1952

Bridget Gilligan was at home in her room doing homework. Her father was working and mother and Danny were running errands. Willie was home in his room. She had just finished finished her science homework when she heard Willie crying. She got up and went to his room to find Willie sitting on his bed crying.

"Willie what's wrong?" She asked sitting down next to him and placed an arm around his shoulder.

"I was out of the room for a few minutes and when I came back Herman was dead!" Willie cried pointing to his turtle in the tank by his open window.

Bridget looked at the turtle and immediately knew what happened. She reached in and picked up the turtle.

"It's okay come with me!" Bridget replied gently and escorted Willie to the bathroom.

In the bathroom she filled the sink with warm water and placed Herman in it. After a few minutes Herman poked her head out of her shell. Willie gasped.

"She got too cold by the window and fell asleep is all," Bridget replied smiling. "She'll be okay!"

"Thanks Bree Bee your the best!" Willie exclaimed jumping up and down and hugging his big sister.

OCTOBER 18, 1952

Willie had gone along with the Flanagan's to the country to go apple and pumpkin picking. After then picked a few bags of apples and several pumpkins they stopped by the small petting zoo.

Doctor Fergus and Mona Flanagan couldn't help but smile as they watched Willie and Finley cuddle with all the ducks and ducklings and took a picture. Their boys were patting the piglets. They all approached the goats but as they approached they saw all the goats stiffen and then fainted. The children gasped and ran and hid behind Fergus and Mona.

"Not to worry!" The farmer replied running up. "It happens all the time! I had them checked out by the Vet. He said it was some kind of brain and joint thing! Don't worry they'll all be up in a second!"

As if on cue all the adult goats stood back up and the baby goats stood up awkwardly. Then the goats continued to walk around stiffly. Fergus and Mona took that opportunity to escort the children to the car.

OCTOBER 25, 1952

Willie was over at the Flanagan's carving pumpkins. As they finished they heard Dr. Flanagan walking up the walkway after working at the hospital. He had just opened the door and was about to greet them when they heard something thud against the house.

"What was that?" Mona asked wiping her hands on her apron.

"Looks like a bird flew into the house!" Fergus replied taking out a rubber glove. "It looks dead but don't worry I'll get rid of it!"

"Wait a minute Dr. Flanagan!" Willie replied as he met him on the stoop.

"What is it Will?" Dr. Flanagan asked as he picked up the bird.

"Shhhh! Wait for it!" Willie whispered.

They stood there for five minutes then suddenly the bird stood up in Fergus' hand and flew off.

"My goodness!" He exclaimed. "Willie how did you know that would happen?"

"It happened at my grandparents house last year!" Willie replied as Fergus chuckled as they went back into the house.

A/N: During the winter mammals hibernate and cold blooded animals estivate meaning they go into a state of suspended animation and may appear dead.

There is a breed of goat with a genetic disorder that cause their muscles to freeze up when they panic looking like they are fainting.

Birds stun themselves when they fly into houses.

If Gilligan were a dog what type of dog would he be. Vote now on the poll on my profile!

PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!