It was a bright and sunny morning in the quiet countryside. Birds were chirping, the sky was clear, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers. Bibi, the energetic little girl with boundless curiosity, had been staying with her kind but cautious Uncle Phong during her summer break. Uncle Phong was a farmer, and he always warned Bibi not to wander off alone, especially to the big farm across the stream.
But today, something felt different. Bibi woke up with a sparkle in her eyes and a plan in her heart. Uncle Phong had gone to the market early in the morning, and Bibi knew she had a small window of opportunity. She had heard from the neighbor’s kids that a baby goat had just been born at the farm nearby—and she just couldn’t wait any longer to see it.
“I’ll just go for a little while,” she whispered to herself, tiptoeing past the kitchen where Auntie Linh was preparing breakfast. “Uncle Phong won’t even notice I’m gone.”
She quickly packed a small bag with a bottle of water, a few snacks, and her favorite red scarf. Slipping quietly out the back door, Bibi ran through the tall grass, her feet brushing the dew-covered leaves as she made her way toward the old wooden bridge that led to the farm.
The farm was alive with sounds. Chickens clucked, cows mooed, and a distant bleat confirmed what Bibi had hoped—there really was a baby goat! Her heart raced with excitement as she crept closer to the pen. The baby goat was tiny, fluffy, and wobbled on its legs as it tried to follow its mother.
“Oh wow, you’re even cuter than I imagined,” Bibi whispered, holding onto the fence with wide eyes. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small cracker. “Want a snack, little one?”
Just as the baby goat sniffed her hand, a loud snort came from behind her. Bibi turned around quickly—and gasped. One of the large farm bulls had noticed her and didn’t seem too pleased. Its nostrils flared, and it took a heavy step forward, its horns low.
“Uh-oh,” Bibi muttered, slowly backing away.
But she had made a mistake. In her rush to see the animals, she had unknowingly wandered into the wrong pen. She was now standing between the bull and its water trough.
Before she could move, the bull charged forward, not aggressively but determined to get to its water. Bibi screamed and ran, climbing over the fence and falling into a pile of hay. Her heart was pounding, her knees were scraped, and her elbow ached from the fall.
Still, she scrambled to her feet, looking around to see if anyone had noticed. Luckily, the bull ignored her once she was out of the way. But her adventure was far from over.
As she turned to head home, Bibi realized something horrifying—she had taken a wrong turn earlier and now didn’t recognize the path back. The tall grass all looked the same. Her red scarf had fallen somewhere during the escape, and her water bottle had rolled out of her bag.
Trying not to panic, she followed what she thought was the path back. But every step seemed to lead her deeper into unfamiliar territory. The sun was now high, and the heat pressed down on her. Sweat dripped from her forehead as she walked and walked. Her stomach grumbled, and her lips felt dry.
Meanwhile, back at the house, Uncle Phong had returned from the market with fresh vegetables and a puzzled expression.
“Where’s Bibi?” he asked Auntie Linh.
“She was here earlier,” she said. “Maybe in the garden?”
But when they checked the garden, the barn, the neighbor’s house, and even the mango tree where she liked to sit—Bibi was nowhere to be found.
Uncle Phong’s worry turned to fear. He knew Bibi had a wild spirit and loved adventure, but she was still just a child. He raced to the fields and began calling her name. “Bibi! Bibi! Where are you?”
Back in the forest, Bibi had finally collapsed under a tree, tired and scared. “I should’ve listened to Uncle Phong,” she whispered. Tears welled in her eyes. “I didn’t mean to cause trouble…”
Suddenly, she heard rustling in the bushes. She sat up, alert and nervous. But then—“Bibi!”
Her eyes lit up. “Uncle Phong!”
He came crashing through the brush, his shirt damp with sweat, his face full of concern. When he saw her sitting under the tree with dusty clothes and teary eyes, he rushed to her and knelt beside her.
“Are you hurt?” he asked, examining her quickly.
“Just a few scrapes,” Bibi sniffled. “I’m sorry… I just wanted to see the baby goat.”
Uncle Phong sighed, his face a mix of relief and disappointment. “Bibi, I’m glad you’re okay. But you must understand—it’s dangerous to go off on your own. The farm has big animals, uneven ground, and you got lost. Anything could’ve happened.”
“I know,” she said, hanging her head. “I was wrong.”
He pulled her into a hug. “I’m not mad. But you have to promise me—no more sneaking off.”
“I promise,” Bibi whispered.
They walked back slowly, and by the time they got home, Auntie Linh had lunch ready. After washing up and getting her scrapes cleaned, Bibi sat quietly at the table.
That night, as the stars appeared, Uncle Phong tucked Bibi into bed.
“You know,” he said, “if you ask me next time, I’ll take you to see the baby goat myself. Safely.”
Bibi smiled. “Really?”
“Really. We’ll go together, and maybe we’ll even bring it a treat.”
Bibi closed her eyes, finally at peace. She had learned a big lesson that day—adventure is exciting, but safety and honesty are even more important. And sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you share with someone who cares.
