Llama Party

“I’m free, I’m free,” shouted Liam to all the others as he galloped down the train tracks. “I’ll be back with the supplies soon!” The others cheered for him as he disappeared down the line.

Liam knew what he was looking for; he saw it once at a party in Linda and Dave’s barn—a colorful pointy hat with soft festive pom poms. He understood that if you wore this festival hat, it was a fun way to celebrate your birthday.

Liam had stayed on the farm ever since he arrived 15 years ago. So he was a little nervous that he would not find the hats; he did not even know where to look.

He finally came to an opening in the brush along the tracks. He darted out of the bushes, met by a bustling main street with colorful shops. Liam trots down the sidewalk, looking into the big store windows.

***

Meanwhile, back on the farm, Linda steps outside on her front porch, looking across the land. Today was her birthday. Every year since they have lived on this farm, her husband Dave would host a big birthday party for her, complete with a band and dancing. Unfortunately, this year, there was not going to be a party. Dave was on a business trip, and they decided to celebrate when he returned. One thing kept her in good spirits—caring for her five llamas. They understood her and always cuddled with her when Dave was away. Liam was the first llama she and Dave owned.

Linda surveys the yard once more. There is Dotty, Coco, Billy, Sunny, and "Oh no… where is Liam?" she thinks. Linda runs down to the pasture, and all the llamas run to greet her. Hurriedly, she questions the llamas, "Where is Liam? Oh no, where did he go?" The llamas stared back at her. She scans the fence line and sees a hole in the fence across the pasture. She runs across to the other side. She slides through the hole, finding a branch to block the path so no more llamas can break free. She tromps through the thick brush until she comes to the train tracks. She looks both ways and takes off to the right, opposite town, calling out for Liam.

***

Liam comes across the store he was looking for, it was vibrant and shiny, and there were colorful pointy hats with soft festive pom poms hanging in the window. He walks into the store, and the man behind the counter waves his hands and makes loud noises. Scared, Liam races around the store, looking for the colorful pointy hat with soft festive pom poms, knocking off objects as he goes. Liam finally sees what he came for, a packet of party hats. He grabs the package with his teeth.

Liam starts to head out of the store when the man approaches him. Liam feels trapped and backs up, tangled in some ribbon lying on the floor. "Oh no. Is anyone in here? I need help!" says the man.

Liam hears a familiar voice say, “I can help!” It was Dave! He got back from his business trip early and was getting supplies. Liam was overjoyed to see his buddy.

Dave comes over to Liam and, in a soft voice, says, “It’s ok, Liam,” and reaches out his hand to pet him. Liam feels calm. “I’m going to take you home now.” Dave reaches up to take the colorful packet of party hats out of Liam’s mouth, but Laim steps back and holds on to the package even harder. Dave chuckles and says, “It’s ok, Liam, you can take them with you.”

***

Linda ends up back at her house. She called the sheriff, hoping they had found Liam, but no luck yet. She feels dirty from climbing through the brush, so she decides to shower before going out to try and find Liam again.

Meanwhile, Dave pulls up to the house with Liam's head sticking out the back window with the party hats clenched in his teeth. The llamas hummingly cheer for him, "You're back. You got them!”

Dave lets Liam out of the car and leads him into the fenced pasture. Liam nudges Dave with the package. "Oh, I see… party hats for the llamas," Dave said.

Dave opens the package, and the llamas come over one by one for their hat.

It was perfect timing; people started to show up.

***

Linda was ready to leave again. Looking out across the pasture, she counts her llamas, “One, two, three, four… oh my, what is on their heads?” She heads down to the pasture and sees Liam racing over to greet her. On his head is a colorful party hat with soft festive pom poms. Linda hugs Liam and, through laughter, says, “How did you get those hats?”

Dave comes up behind her and says, “He must have known it was a special day for you… I found him in the party store with party hats in his mouth.” Linda looks around at her husband, overjoyed to see him.

Dave embraces Linda. “They must have known the plan; everyone is here to celebrate.” Dave points to the barn as the band starts to play.

Linda fondly looked at her husband and then her llamas. “Thank you,” she says with tears in her eyes.

***

Liam, Dotty, Coco, Billy, and Sunny huddle as close to the barn as they can, swaying to the music. Linda hands out apples. With an outstretched hand, she presents the last apple to Liam. Liam looks at Linda with warm admiration and says with a humming voice, "Happy Birthday!" and then gobbles up the apple. Linda looks stunned.

Dave calls Linda from the barn, “Linda, it’s time to dance!”

Still stunned, Linda says, “I think Liam just said Happy Birthday to me.”

Dave chuckles, “I would not expect anything less from him. He did surprise you with party hats.”

"Yes, he did."