This story tells the history between a flock of sheep and a herd of cows.

It starts off with both sets of animals on kind and pleasant terms with each other. You see these animals had built up a great friendship over time and had come to an understanding between each other so that they could keep that alliance strong and secure.

The understanding was that the cows would help repair the sheep's shelter every year, to make sure that the sheep were properly protected throughout that year from the rain, wind, snow and vandals. For this work the cows would receive off the sheep some bags of their wool, which the cows used as warm and comfortable blankets, (well come on cows lay down all the time, so they want to be on something soft and snug like wool. You don't really think that they actually lay on something like grass for all that time, which is rough, scratchy and going to leave wet marks, do you?).

This arrangement was very successful for many years with both sets of animals providing the other with the service required. Every so often the sheep would give an extra bag of wool or the cows would add more supports than usual, but this was only due to care and courtesy, extra charges were not even considered.

Then one year things changed. The cows did their job of checking the shelter and adding more protection. However, instead of them just coming down to the sheep and politely asking for the bags of wool that they were owed, the cows came down and rudely demanded 'Okay, there we go, we are finally done, so come on hurry up and give us what you owe us. The usual, plus 5!'

The sheep still waiting for the 'Hello, how are you? What do you think of the weather? How's the family? What do you think those tracks mean?' Quickly looked up at the cows, then glanced at each other, before remarking, 'Sorry, oh it's you…the usual and what?' 'Five more, you heard us. Come on then, pay up!' the cows said together.

The sheep still in shock after hearing this rudeness confusedly asked 'Sorry, why 5 more?'

'Oh come on. You owe us the usual, and five, so just get on with it. We have done our job.' The cows answered swiftly and huffily.

'But why?' The sheep again enquired before explaining 'We were expecting the same amount that we have always paid you.' The cows, now getting fed up with the wait puffed 'Well, times have changed, and you, like us, know that this shelter is a big job and that means that we have had to get in more cows to help us out.'

'More cows?' The sheep questioned. 'Oh many more, we are now really having to reach out to get the help for this,' responded one cow. 'It was alright some years ago when just a few of us did an okay job, but because we now want to construct the toughest shelter possible we need to get in the best cows possible. So yes, that means a bit more cost to you, but if you think about it, it is definitely worth it, if you imagine what could happen.'

After hearing this, the sheep huddled together to discuss these new facts and reasons. Finally, after opinions had been shared and grumbles talked over the sheep turned back to the cows and told them that they were going to pay the full price because they had not realised how much of a big job it was and did not want to seem ungrateful.

The cows faked a 'Thank you' before being told by the sheep that they would have to wait a few more days for those extra bags to be ready.

After the cows had gone the sheep were left feeling worried. 'What are we going to do?' One of them said to the others. 'Well, I don't think that we are sure,' replied another. The field fell silent as members of the flock tried to work out how they were going to fill 5 more bags of wool in less than five days. The hush was only broken when one of the older sheep interrupted with 'Look, we the elders can all help out and give some of our wool.' Even though this was not the done thing because of flock rules about protecting their elders, the rest of the older sheep were nodding along to show support for this idea.

But before this suggestion was allowed to go any further a younger adult sheep assured everyone that 'It's okay and thank you all so much, but we do still have a few healthy younger adults who can provide us with a bit more, it will be that little bit tougher on them, but it is the only way, because it is not fair to use the wool of the young or old, because as we know that would just be too dangerous.'

'Look, we insist. You are still going to put the young adults in danger and that can't be fair!' another one of the elder sheep pointed out. However, this was quickly answered with 'No! Thank you again, but it is fine, you lot have given so much in the past for this flock that it is only fair that you are protected when you need it most.'

So, when the day came the sheep gave the cows the extra bags. It just left a few more of the younger adult sheep that bit emptier and anxious, but they understood and agreed with the reasons for their sacrifice. The cows again thanked the sheep with as little care as possible, but did agree to come back in a years time to fix the shelter saying that 'It should be back to the normal price next time because that shelter is so strong and sturdy now that the usual amount of us will be able to sort it. So, thanks for this. Hope you didn't have too much hassle and we will let ourselves out, so see you later.'

The months rolled by and the sheep were very protected by the shelter during some really difficult times and the cows were very happy being kept warm by their wool blankets.

The days, weeks and months swiftly sped by and soon enough came the time to re-fix the shelter. The cows got to the field as normal and then quickly got to work on filling in the gaps, changing the old ruined parts and adding in the needed supports. When it was finally done and the cows were pleased with their structure they went to seek their payment from the sheep. 'Well, there you go, we are done now.' The cows explained. The sheep, who were stood admiring the smart, safe shelter thanked and spelt out to the cows how grateful they were for such a stable area.

Just as the bags were about to be handed over one of the cows cleared their throat to say 'Look sorry about this, but…erm…yeah, the price has gone up again…eh sorry but no choice.' The sheep this time did not look worried and laughed it off saying 'Oh well, no problem because you see we thought that you might want those 5 extra bags again, so this time we were ready. Yes, it has been tough on our younger adults again,' As this was said the sheep speaking looked at where eight of the ten younger adult sheep who had given up their wool were stood and gave a grateful smile to them before continuing with 'but to show our appreciation here is the payment in full.'

As the sheep went about happily handing over the bags and discussing where they were going to sleep in the shelter, one of the cows interrupted with 'Ah, sorry there, but what we mean is that it is going up by 5 extra bags on last times price.' The sheep stopped suddenly and looked at each other befuddled, before nervously saying 'You must be joking. You're not seriously after five extra bags…are you?'

'Joking? Why would we be joking?' 'You want 10 more than the usual, that's why you might be joking' answered the sheep. 'Come on it is only five extra bags if you think about it and each one of you loses that amount on those fences everyday' replied the cows, trying to joke off the situation. But, as you would expect with a joke like that, totally failing.

'But come on now, you are giving us the same service as before.' One of the sheep said 'Last time you promised that it would go back to the old price but have instead increased it again on last times price, its just not fair.' The cows stood facing the sheep and decided that before they were going to squabble any further they were going to have a good mouthful or two of grass. Well, they had done all that hard work they were plus hungry and were now being bored by these annoying sheep, so they may as well get a free meal out of it.

After swallowing the grass, one of the cows described the reason for the increased price. 'Look, we have had to get even more of us because your shelter has again had a real hammering.' The cow stopped for a minute, trying to release the grass that was stuck in her throat. After a few unpleasant sounds she continued with, 'Also, if you think about how it has been a lot colder this year and the fact that we aren't shrinking then you must see that we are only being fair in wanting a reasonable amount of wool.' The cow again had to stop to clear her throat and make more uncomfortable sounds because even though the grass had cleared, it had still left a nasty after taste. Finally, the cow edged closer to say 'You must see that we are big animals and that means that we need a large amount of covering to keep us warm, we cannot cope with those tiny amounts that we have been getting. They would barely have covered a fat cat or dog. Look, we are only after what we deserve, we are fat cows, so we need fat cow amounts.'

'We see your point of view, but we just don't have that much' bleated the sheep. 'Well that's fine,' the cows huffed. 'just remember that as you freeze in a ruined shelter from next year when we won't be coming back' one of the cows threatened.

This warning clearly scared the whole flock, as the cows spent the next few moments watching the sheep glance at each other with the same frightened look. The fact was that the sheep, like the cows, knew that the flock had no choice. They knew that they would not be able to cope without the shelter and that in a years time the shelter would have to be re-built, so it all meant that the cows had won because they were the only animals that could give the shelter the attention that it required.

As the pleased cows (except for the one that was still trying to get rid of that awful throaty taste) left, the sheep started talking frantically about how they were going to get the five bags of wool that they now needed to pay off their debt. 'Well…we could ask the neighbours.' Suggested one member of the flock, but that was quickly rejected because of all of the problems that had gone on between the flocks. 'Could the younger adults just all give some more?' Came another idea, but again that was dismissed because it was soon pointed out in the most noticeable of ways that all of the younger adult sheep had already given their all and that anymore would be unsafe for their survival.

After many comments and thoughts there was only one true idea left. 'Look,' explained one of the elders 'do not worry about us, we want to help and we are the only choice, so please let us do what we must for the flock.'.

'We are just concerned about the conditions being too cold and unhealthy for you, we all know how last year affected us all' one of the younger adults reasoned. 'Oh I know,' continued the elder sheep 'and we do appreciate and respect you so much for it, but if we do not give then the only other choice for the flock is for us to use the wool of the younger ones, and that we will just not allow to happen whilst we are still here.' (Sheep prefer saying younger ones instead of lambs because the way that they say it leaves a tickly feeling in the throat that can stay around for days.)

Over the next few days the whole flock tried to come up with new ideas, but in the end came to terms with the fact that there was no option but to use the wool from the brave elders.

After the cows picked up the outstanding debt, the older sheep were thrown the party of all parties by the rest of the flock to show them how thankful they were for this great help. As you will have guessed if you have ever been to a sheep party, this party had all the classic sheep games. There was roll up the hill, dodge the dirt, eat till you pop, singing statues, wind blower, funny faces, jumping over jack and spring board and all the other ones that I'm sure you can think of...

Over the next year the sheep found it as hard as ever to stay alive, they struggled time and again to cope with the terrible weather conditions that were thrown at them. In the end many of the flock had to admit that it was only through the shelter that most of the sheep had survived.

The next year the cows again returned to sort out the shelter and again repaired and reinforced the shelter which had, as usual, been ruined by the wind, snow…well you know the rest. As they normally did, the cows acted as good service providers by putting in all their effort to construct a shelter that would stand up to the toughest conditions. However, when the sheep heard the new demands they just angrily snapped back 'No chance! Nope, no way! Don't even try it! We lost four of our elders because of your greediness last year. There can be no real reason for you needing 12 extra bags on top of last years lot. Come on, that is 22 extra bags over the last few years alone.'

After standing bored, and pretending to listen to the sheep's complaints for about five minutes, the cows said 'Well, we could go on about the materials being harder and the conditions being harsher, but the real reason is that we don't want a sob story. We don't have time to care, we just want paying, thank you very much.'

'This will ruin us,' one of the sheep pleaded, 'we don't have enough adult sheep to cover this including the elders, if we give you any more then we will lose more of the flock to the cold, with or without the shelter.'

The cows kept to the bored pretending to listen faces (This herd were world champions at it!) because they knew that there was going to be more pleading, more heart ache and more stories, but they also knew that in the end they would bully the sheep into giving them what they wanted. After another 3 ish minutes (2 minutes, 57 seconds to be precise) had passed nothing had happened and still the sheep were begging with 'How about 5 more? Please, just 5 more we might be able to do.'

'Nope, you know what we want' was the swift, uncaring response. 'But it can't be done, it just can't' another sheep insisted. One of the cows, now so bored that she had counted the amount of human walkers around (7 if you must know), decided that it was now time to round up the rest of the herd and start a threat so that things would move on. 'Okay, lets go and destroy what we have just put up then and get out of here for ever'.

These words did the job. They created the exact panic that the cow was after, because suddenly the sheep were in a huddle arguing about what could be done. The cows stopped, smiled at each other and, to pass the time, started a discussion regarding the hideous, eye-soring garments that were being worn by the human walkers. The sheep's less humorous conversation struggled to come up with any realistic ideas and in the end gave in to the fact that there was no choice but for every single one of the flock to give every single piece of wool to them. The flock eventually separated to concede with 'Okay, you win, but you will have to give us a few more days than usual.'

As the cows walked off the flock were silent. They knew that what they had to do was going to put the whole flocks survival in danger, but they also knew that they had no other choice.

When the day came the cows cheerily picked up the bags from the wool bare flock and politely thanked the shivering sheep for what was owed. The sheep did not reply, as they were too concerned with how they were going to cope as a flock now that they were all so feeble, helpless and unprotected.

As usual, the weeks and months passed swiftly. Yet both the shelter and the sheep were pounded, battered and beaten by the weather.

So, the next time the cows came, they again had the huge task of restoring the old shelter, but as any good service provider does they rebuilt the old place to be stronger and safer. They spent the day removing the rubbish, reinforcing rocks, fixing in boulders and setting in stones.

As usual, when they were done they plodded on down to receive their payment, still trying to agree on how much extra they would charge this time. However, it was at this moment that the cows suddenly realised that there would be no extra payment this time, or any payment whatsoever this time; because as they gazed across the field they saw that it was completely empty. As they scanned the whole area they soon realised that what they had had with the sheep was ruined and lost forever, because now there wasn't a living soul left in the field anywhere.

As the cows trudged home they were left thinking about the way that things were yet again going to change because of them and that this time it would be they who were to suffer.