Welcome to Storytime with Dad!  Today we will be reading The Hungry Adventure of Momma Pig and Little Pip.

In a sunny meadow, not far from the big red barn, lived Momma Pig and her little piglet, Pip. Pip's tummy rumbled so loudly one morning that it made the birds flutter out of the trees.

"Momma," Pip squeaked, rubbing his round belly, "I'm so hungry! Let's go find some food!"

Momma Pig snorted kindly. "Of course, Pip. Let's take a walk. Sometimes food is hiding where you least expect it."

So off they trotted, tails wiggling, into the wide green fields.

The first friend they met was Cow, who was lazily chewing on grass.

"Mooorning!" Cow greeted, swishing her tail. "Where are you two off to?"

"We're searching for something to eat," Pip said, licking his lips.

Cow tilted her head. "Well, my nose is very good at sniffing out sweet grass patches. Let me help!" She lifted her big nose, sniffed the breeze, and pointed. "This way!"

So Momma Pig, Pip, and Cow walked together toward the scent of something delicious.

Before long, they reached the chicken coop. Chicken clucked and fluttered down to greet them.

"Cluck-cluck! What's all the fuss?"

"We're looking for food," Pip explained. "Cow helped us smell the way, but we haven't found anything yet."

Chicken flapped her wings proudly. "Well, I'm an excellent scratcher! I can dig through dirt better than anyone. Let me join you!"

So now the group grew: Momma Pig, Pip, Cow, and Chicken all marched along, following the sniffing and scratching.

At the bend in the path, a cheerful bray rang out: "Hee-haw!" Donkey trotted over.

"Good day, travelers! Where are you headed?"

"We're hunting for food," Momma Pig said. "So far, Cow has smelled the way, and Chicken is ready to scratch around."

Donkey wiggled his long ears. "Well, I'm strong and steady. If there are things in the way that are too heavy for you, I can push or pull them aside. Count me in!"

The group was growing bigger and stronger. Together, they kept moving.

Soon, they met Horse, who galloped gracefully up to the fence.

"Neigh! What's this little parade?"

"We're searching for food," Pip explained again. "Cow smells, Chicken scratches, Donkey pulls. We're getting close, I think!"

Horse tossed his mane. "I can run fast and scout ahead! I'll make sure the path is clear and safe."

So Horse pranced in front, checking for any trouble, while the others followed behind.

At last, the group reached the edge of the orchard. Beyond a tangle of brush, they saw it: a tree heavy with apples, shiny and red, some already fallen to the ground.

Pip squealed with delight. "Food! Food! We found it!"

But there was a problem. The brush was thick and thorny, blocking the way.

Cow tried to push through, but the branches poked her.
Chicken scratched at the ground, but the roots were too tough.
Donkey tugged at the branches, but they wouldn't budge.
Horse ran ahead, but couldn't get past the thorns.

Momma Pig looked at Pip. "This is tricky. How can we all work together?"

Pip thought hard. Then he had an idea. "Everyone use your special skills - together!"

So they did:

Cow sniffed around and found the softest spot in the brush.

Chicken scratched and pecked to loosen the soil there.

Donkey leaned his strong shoulders against the loosened branches and pulled.

Horse dashed through the opening and kicked away some of the thorny vines.

And Momma Pig? She used her sturdy snout to nudge the last roots out of the ground.

At last - CRACK! The brush gave way, and the orchard opened before them.

The animals trotted inside. Apples lay all around, juicy and red. Pip raced to the nearest one and took a huge, happy bite.

"Mmm!" he squealed. "We did it!"

All the animals joined in, munching and crunching, enjoying the reward of their teamwork.

As the sun dipped low, Pip looked around at his new friends. "If it weren't for Cow's nose, Chicken's scratching, Donkey's strength, and Horse's speed, we never would have found this food. We all helped!"

Momma Pig nodded proudly. "That's right, Pip. When friends work together, there's nothing they can't do."

With full bellies and happy hearts, the little parade of animals made their way back to the barnyard, ready for the next adventure.

And from then on, Pip never forgot: sometimes, finding food is easier - and more fun - when you have friends to help.

The End.

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Yum, yum!  I love apples and am glad those animals finally found food.  That was a really fun story!  I liked all the new animals Pip met, each with their special ability to add to the mix!  Did you have a favorite animal?  They were all fun parts to play, but I think I liked being the chicken best!

As with most of my episodes these days, I want to give a big thanks to my listener Bodhi for his idea.  I am very thankful that you took time to send me your message, and I hope you like the story I made up from your idea!  

It was pretty cool how Pip kept running into new animals throughout his journey, and it's especially neat that he made friends with them all.  It would have been real easy for Pip to keep pressing onward without them, but if he had done that, then I don't think they would have been able to get the apples?  Do you?

There's an old phrase that I am reminded of here: if you want to go fast, go alone - but if you want to go far, go together.  I use that technique all the time at work, especially when I'm trying to do big, complicated things.  I absolutely cannot do the work I do without people helping me, and when you're trying to get work done quickly, it's really easy to forget that you need to bring people along with you on the journey.  

This little tale about Pip and his mom is just one more example of how working together can allow us to solve big problems, and help everyone get their needs met.  So the next time you're trying to do something hard or complicated, remember that you're not alone!  You can always ask your friends to help you, if you're trying to do something big or complicated.  Maybe they'll even benefit from going on the journey with you.

On that note - what other story ideas do you all have?  I'd love to hear them!  Tell me at hello@storytimewithdad.com! I always want to hear from you and I read every single message.  So, keep the messages coming to me, I look forward to getting more after I publish this story - aaaand I have some other things I'm working as well.  So stay tuned!

I am wanting to put out a coloring book and a short story book as well.  So if you want to help support the work I do here, making entertaining stories, then you're going to have an opportunity soon!  Follow me on social media to get the details and here short stories that aren't on the podcast either.  Instagram is always a good place to find me: @storytimewithdadpod

Thank you for listening and I'll see you again next time.