Lambert plodded around, looking up at the trees that were all around him. They looked inviting; nice and high up. He could probably see his flock from one of them. He stopped in front of a large oak tree and, forgetting Dumbo was with him, leapt up… falling to the ground with a loud crash.
Dumbo jerked, instantly letting go of Lambert's tail as the cub stared at him. He grinned sheepishly, offering his trunk and lifting Lambert to his feet again.
Lambert turned around, facing the tree, then looked behind him. Dumbo waved his trunk at him; nodding, Lambert crouched down, sticking his tongue out and closing one eye in concentration. He sized up the tree, backed himself up and with a running start, pedaled his legs as fast as he could. He leapt at the tree, sinking his claws into the trunk.
Dumbo watched as his new friend clung desperately to the tree, scrabbling his paws against the bark, unable to move. He jumped up, running to the tree as Lambert starting sliding down. In one swift movement, he had his trunk out, catching Lambert before he slid all the way to the bottom.
Lambert panted, clinging tightly to the tree as Dumbo pushed below him, gently urging him upwards. He looked up at the high tree, gulping as he put one paw out, catching the tree bark. He slowly dislodged his other claw, putting it next to the other one while Dumbo continued to push him from below.
Between the two of them, Lambert finally made it to a low hanging tree branch. He climbed onto it, his legs shaking from the strain. He crawled along the branch, gently lying down, watching below him as Dumbo collapsed against the tree, utterly exhausted. Lambert panted, resting his head on his paws, slowly drifting off to sleep.
"Duuummmbboo. Duuummmboo."
"Laambert! Laambert!"
Timothy scanned the woods, looking all around; no sign of Dumbo anywhere. They had been looking for what felt like hours.
Mrs. Sheep turned her head from side to side, looking at the scary woods. She walked cautiously, jumping when she heard a loud crack. "Laambert!" In one swift movement, she scampered behind a tree, peeking out nervously.
Timothy scratched his head in confusion. "What's got you scared now?" He climbed off her, cautiously checking the ground, chuckling when he found a broken tree branch. He held it up. "Is this what you're afraid of? It's just a tree branch; nothing to worry about." He climbed back up her, sitting down on top of her head. "You're a nervous Nellie, aren't ya?" Mrs. Sheep bleated in annoyance. "Sorry, sorry. Uh-oh." He held out a paw, feeling a rain drop bounce off it. He looked up at the sky. "Looks like we're in for some weather; better find a place to stay."
Mrs. Sheep perked her ears up, listening to Timothy's advice, slowly making her way to a nearby tree that was hollowed out on the bottom. She walked in, circling three times before laying down. She put her head on her hooves, closing her eyes.
Timothy jumped off her, landing on the ground. He looked around. "Well, not much of a place, but at least it's cozy." Mrs. Sheep opened an eye, looking at him. "Not much to do now; better wait 'til morning." He climbed back on top of her, making himself a nest in her soft wool. "Good-night then." Mrs. Sheep bleated a good night, settling down.
Timothy popped his head up. "Say, does your wool shrink in the rain?" He was thrown off, landing smartly on the ground for his troubles. Mrs. Sheep glared at him. "Okay, okay! Just asking!"
