6. Farmer Flores

6/Farmer Flores Farmer Flores did a nice smile. "Your teacher tells me that you're not very happy about being here today," he said. I felt my forehead again. "I'm ill," I said. "Yes, well, I've been thinking about how I could make this a better visit for you. And I was wondering if maybe you would like to be my special farm hand today. Do you know what a special farm hand is, Junie B.?" I shaked my head no. "Well, for one thing, the special farm hand gets to walk with the farmer in the very front of the line. Would you like that, do you think?"

I did my shoulders up and down. "I don't know. Maybe," I said. "And also, the special farm hand gets to be the very first person to sit on the tractor," said Farmer Flores. "Does that sound like fun to you?" I sighed very big. "I don't know. Maybe," I said. "Oh," he said. "But here's the most important job of all. The special farm hand gets to help me keep all the children in order." Just then, my mouth came all the way open! "In order?" I asked very thrilled. "You mean I get to order the other children around?" Farmer Flores rubbed his chin. "Well, yes. I suppose you could put it that way," he said.

I quick grabbed my backpack. "Well, then what are we waiting for, Farmer?" I said. After that, I runned off the bus speedy fast. And I clapped my hands real loud. "ALL RIGHT, PEOPLE. GET IN LINE. FARMER FLORES IS GOING TO SHOW US AROUND! AND HE DOESN'T HAVE ALL DAY, FOLKS!" Pretty soon, Farmer Flores and Mrs. came off the bus, too. They told the children to please hold hands like the buddy system.

"YOU HEARD THEM, PEOPLE!" I hollered. "THE BUDDY SYSTEM! WE WILL BE USING THE BUDDY SYSTEM TODAY!" All of a sudden, Mrs. bended down next to my ear. "Helping Farmer Flores does not mean being rude, Junie B.," she said. "I want you to be helpful and nice." "But I am being helpful and nice," I said. "'Cause I didn't even tell anyone to shut up yet." Just then, I skipped to the end of the line and checked on Paulie Allen Puffer and Jim. "I've got my eye on you two clowns," I said very helpful and nice. Jim cockle-doodly-dooed at me again. "Yeah, only too bad for you, Jim," I said. "'Cause I already looked around this place for

roosters. And I didn't even see one of those meanie guys. So, ha!" After that, I quick skipped back to the front of the line. And me and Farmer led the children to the pasture. Pasture is the farm word for big grass and a fence. Only wait till you hear this! There were four horses and two ponies in that pasture! And I did not even run from them! "ATTENTION, PEOPLE! ATTENTION!" I hollered. "DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THE HORSES AND PONIES. JUST STAND VERY STILL AND THEY WILL NOT ATTACK YOU… PROBABLY." I thought for a second. "ALSO, DO NOT FEED THEM CHEESE POPCORN," I said. I looked at Farmer. "I learned that from the

zoo," I said. After that, Farmer held my hand. And we led the children to the barn. The barn is where the cows get milked. All of Room Nine held their noses in that place. 'Cause barns smell like stink and hay. Farmer Flores told us all about milking cows. He showed us the machines that hook up to the cows. Plus also, we saw big giant cans that hold the milk. After he got done, he asked if we had questions. I raised my hand. "If you breathe stink air into your body, does it make your insides smell like stink air, too?" Farmer didn't answer me. Only I don't know why. 'Cause that is a troubling question, I tell you.