Cowpat$

"I suppose you want to know what the Stranger looks like. Well, all I can tell you is that he's short. Even shorter than me.

A floppy hat hides most of his face. His coat seems three sizes too big.

Then there's his feet. HUMUNGOUS. Picture a penguin with elephant feet. Or a chook in size twenty boots.

First time he comes to Geribilt Farm, it's afternoon milking. Daisy and me, we're in the cowshed. Daisy's my best friend. Now maybe you're asking - how come a milk-cow is my best friend? You see, Daisy's never, ever mean to me. Least, never on purpose. Not even last summer when the blow-flies were bothering her so much, she kicked out and nearly broke my leg. No, Daisy's my best friend because I can tell her just about anything, and I know she'll never repeat it."

Link to Teachers' notes

Publisher: MacMillan Education Australia
ISBN: 1 92069933 3

Twelve year old Red has two major loves: milk-cow Daisy, and developing his artistic skills. However Geribilt Farm is going downhill and Red has no money to buy painting equipment. Also, the bank is about to foreclose on the farm, his dad needs an expensive operation, and neither brother, Luke, nor sister, Tara, can find jobs. Then, out of the blue, a mysterious Stranger offers Red hundreds of dollars in exchange for Daisy's cow-pats.