From an early age Farmer Joe would help his parents work in the fields on their farm. It was a small farm with only a few animals. This past summer was their worst year yet. It was hot and dry and they barely had enough crops to sell at the market.

In his spare time, Farmer Joe liked to play with Farmer Dog and some of the other animals on the farm. Joe was an only child so he treated the other animals like his brothers and sisters. Some nights his parents would let him sleep in the barn with his furry and feathery friends.

Farmer Joe didn't have very much like other kids his age. He didn't have an IPad, Xbox, or many toys. But he was happy living on the farm with his parents and his animal friends. He thought everything was good as he did not know that his family was having financial problems. The problems were so serious that there was a chance they could lose their farm.

Dear Farmer Dad ,

I am writing this letter to inform you that you are behind on your land payments. If you miss one more payment, the bank will have no choice but to ask you to leave. You have two weeks to make the payment.

Sincerely,

Mr. McMahon

Norseman Bank

p.s. Have a nice day!

Every morning Farmer Joe would feed the chickens and the rest of the animals. Sometimes a wild turkey would show up looking for a free breakfast. She didn't live on the farm but had made friends with the other chickens. She was a cool turkey so Farmer Joe let her stay.

While he finished up feeding the animals, Farmer Joe overheard his parents having a conversation. It sounded like they were crying. "What are we going to do Farmer Dad?" "I don't know Farmer Mom."

FARMER BENNY'S BIRD SEED

"Hmmm"

"Oh no!" Farmer Joe thought to himself, "Are we going to lose the farm?" Farmer Joe was too sad to start working in the fields. He also completely forgot to put the bird seed back in the barn. With tears running down his cheek, Farmer Joe scurried over to the barn to take a long nap with his dog.

When Farmer Joe woke from his nap there was a terrible storm outside. The rain came pouring down as bright bolts of lightning lit up the sky. There would be no farm work done today. Farmer Joe and his dog ran from the barn to the house trying not to get soaked. It continued to rain all day and for most of the night.

The next morning Farmer Joe went downstairs for breakfast. There was nobody there to greet him in the kitchen. His parents had left him a bowl, some milk, and a box of cereal. As he prepared his breakfast Joe could hear yelling and crying coming from outside. Farmer Joe looked out the window to see his parents having an argument with Mr. Mahon from the bank.

Upset by what he was hearing, Farmer Joe took his dog and some of his belongings and ran away into the forest. The farm was the only home he had ever known. It would be so sad if he had to move away.