Care Farm Friday Story
We see lives change every day. Care Farm Friday Stories are a weekly edition of short stories of hope. Happy Friday and thanks for helping people Learn+Grow+Heal at Simple Sparrow Care Farm
October 27, 2023
This is a story about learning care skills for animals which grow into social/relational skills with people.
Cody and Milla are cousins who visit Simple Sparrow Care Farm with their families on a regular basis. Their favorite activities are collecting eggs and holding bunnies. Bunnies can be very nervous animals who kick and scratch when they are frightened. It is important for young children to learn how to calm their own bodies if they want to help calm a bunny body.
Cody and Milla have learned how to calm their own bodies, so they are able to hold and care for bunnies. One day, Cody and Milla noticed a black rabbit, Bear, was looking “bumpy” and asked why. Bear was in the process of shedding and his fur was clumpy, bumpy instead of smooth and consistent. Farmer Jamie showed Cody and Milla how to carefully brush Bear’s fur to help the shedding process.
Cody and Milla decided to take turns holding and combing Bear. Farmer Jamie supervised, but let the children figure out a way they could share and work together to help Bear. Cody decided to put a stuffed animal on his lap so Bear’s claws wouldn’t scrap his legs. Milla found the comb and gently combed Bear’s fur, assuring him he was a good bunny, and he was going to look so nice. Bear held still, responding well to the children’s gentle touch and kind speaking.
Cody is 5 years old and Milla is 3 years old. Imagine a world where more people worked together, calming their own bodies so they could be better helpers. That’s the kind of world Simple Sparrow Care Farm aims to create. We teach people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities how to care for land, gardens, and animals. Today, Cody and Milla practiced care for a bunny. These care skills are essential social skills and will help them have safer, healthier relationships with others too!
As a 501c3 non-profit organization, Simple Sparrow relies on donations to continue offering quality programs and services to our community. Will you link arms with us by giving a donation or becoming a monthly donor? No gift is too small.