Most little children whine and roll their eyes when asked to do their chores but not Olivianna. This pretty little girl with hair the color of corn silk and sky-blue eyes adores her life on the family farm. She likes nothing better than going outside at the break of dawn, feed bucket in hand and a wide smile on her face.

She skips over to the big red barn, trying to whistle like Mom does. She hasn't quite got the hang of it yet but she's never been one to give up when she sets her mind to something. She just can't wait to get to the last stall where she knows her dear friend Moo will be waiting.

Only this time, he isn't. His gate is wide open and only a bit of crushed straw shows that there was ever a cow living in the cozy white stall.

She runs to the stall across the way where the white horse lives. This is Mom's horse, a spirited mare too big and excitable for little girls to ride. White Breeze is her name and galloping is her great job.

"Breeze, where is Moo?"

Breeze shakes her head back and forth, almost as if she can understand.

Olivianna continues down the lines of stalls. She pats the nose of Cinnamon, the patient brown pony she is learning to ride on. She whispers in the ear of Bessie, the farm's milk cow. She tickles the chin of Nibble the goat and runs her fingers through the curly fur of Wooly the sheep.

The animals are all delighted by her visit but none of them seem to know which way Moo has gone.

She trots out of the barn and into brilliant sunshine. Truffle the sow is basking in the early morning light, feeding her greedy piglets. Ever the protective mother, she grunts a warning at Olivianna to stay back. The little girl wrinkles up her nose and gives the sty plenty of distance as she trots around to the back of the barn.

She hasn't told Mom about the little white mouse living at the back of the haystack. She breaks off a tiny piece of bread she saved from breakfast. Whiskers peeks his head out.

"Hello, Whiskers. Have you seen which way Moo went?"

Whiskers gobbles the treat and vanishes back into his home but not before pointing his tail in the direction of the dirt lane. He's a very smart little mouse.

One of the ducks from the pond watches her trotting toward the entry gate, quacking mournfully when she doesn't stop to offer any bread. The black hen flutters out of her path with a cluck of disapproval. She would never allow her chicks to make so much noise.

The barn cat is on her way back from chasing chipmunks at the edge of the forest. She gives Olivianna a haughty look but doesn't dare try anything naughty with the farmer's dog in easy view. He rises to his feet when he sees the child approaching the main gate. Protecting the livestock is his main purpose but protecting that little girl from harm is his pleasure.

The dog growls at the raccoon washing his hands in the small stream that marks the border of the forest. He chitters an insult and turns his tail, ambling up the hill and deeper into the trees. She turns to go the other direction. Moo could never make it up a steep hill with all those trees. He's far too big!

Olivianna's skirts get all wet when she tries and fails to use the stepping stones that are too far apart for her small legs. Oh well. Mom will scold a bit but it's only water and a bit of mud. Losing Moo would be much worse than losing a dress.

She freezes in place at the sight of the skunk. The dog turns tail and runs. While he loves the little girl, he's encountered this particular stinker before and has no desire to repeat the horrors of a week of tomato baths. The skunk is absorbed in her burrowing for food and takes no notice of the passing child.

She smiles at the turtle half-hidden in the mud and gasps at the sight of the beaver emerging from her lodge. A rabbit darts across her path, nose quivering. She would love to stay and watch all these wonderful animals but Moo comes first.

A gasp of wonder leaves her lips when she spots the fawn so beautifully blended in with the surrounding trees. The fawn watches her go by with liquid eyes. Her fingers tremble. She wants so badly to walk over and pet that velvet coat, the way she once did at a petting zoo. This is no tame creature, though. She knows if she makes any sudden moves, the fawn will dart away.

A mighty crash scares them both into motion. The fawn vanishes with the flick of a white-tipped tail. Olivianna tiptoes forward until she can peek around an oak tree that's ten times as wide as a little girl.

The bear is grouchy after months spent in hibernation. He's found the first berries of the year but is having a hard time getting to them through all the brambles. He grunts and swipes at the vines that are in his way, getting more thorns in his soft pads than treats on his tongue. He's young for a bear and hasn't yet learned the art of patience.

Olivianna is about to dash back to the house as fast as she can when she sees the hoof print in the mud.

Moo has been this way.

She tiptoes through the mud, choking down a sound of excitement every time she finds another print.

She finds Moo in a bog where he has done a wonderfully thorough job of getting himself stuck. He moos mournfully at the sight of her, warning her not to get too close or she'll get stuck too.

It takes three different farmers and their machines to free Moo. Not liking all the noise and lights, the bear trundles deeper into the forest, scaring all the smaller animals into their burrows. Moo doesn't resist when the humans push him in the direction of the road. He's had quite enough adventuring for one day and is eager for the warmth and comfort of the barn.

Olivianna helps Mom wash the mud from his flanks, gently scolding him for scaring her so.

She can't stay mad at her best friend and gives him a big hug.