The Spotted Cow

There was once rather a vain cow. She was plain white with two nice curly horns. She thought she looked rather nice - but she did wish she could have some nice black spots over her back. There were no spotted cows in the field at all, and the white cow thought it would be grand to be the only spotted cow.

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Now one day, when she was munching long, juicy grass that grew in the hedge, she came across a small pixie mixing black paint in a pot.

'What are you doing?' asked the cow.

I'm mixing my black paint,' said the little fellow. I'm the pixie that paints the spots on the ladybirds, you know.

'Oh,' said the cow. 'Well, will you paint some on me?"

'Yes, if you give me a nice drink of milk,' said the pixie.

In a long line stood about twenty ladybirds with bright red backs and no spots. The pixie neatly painted seven black spots on each red back, and the ladybirds flew off in delight.

'I don't mind doing that,' said the cow. You can find a tin mug and milk some of my creamy milk into it for yourself.'

'I'll just finish these ladybirds first,' said the pixie, and he turned back to his work. In a long line stood about twenty ladybirds with bright red backs and no spots. The pixie neatly painted seven black spots on each red back, and the ladybirds flew off happily.