by Mary Kelly
Harry looked around, and saw some other kids just ahead of them on the path. They were leaping up a little pile of stones, showing off their climbing skills. Harry loved their inquisitive little faces. “I wish I could go and stroke them,” he said.
“I’m afraid they’re too wild for that,” said Aunt Judy. “I think they’d just run away if you tried to get too close.”
As if they’d understood her, the kids looked up at the sound of their voices, then frisked away up the hill, their tails waggling behind them.
Harry looked down at the dogs. They were lying down, tired out after their run up to the cliff tops. “Don’t they want to chase the goats?” asked Harry.
“They’re more interested in toys and rabbits!” laughed Aunt Judy. “And at this time of year, I think Patch and Tilly are a bit wary of the mother goats. The goats are very protective of their kids. They never let them wander too far. In fact, if you listen, you can probably hear the mothers and kids calling to each other.”
“I think I can hear one bleating now,” said Harry. “Or is that just the wind?”
“It definitely sounds like a goat,” said Aunt Judy, “but that’s odd – it seems to be coming from over the cliff.”
They stood for a moment, trying to work out the direction the sound was coming from. With the noise of the wind and the waves, it was hard to tell if the bleating came from up ahead or from the way they’d just come.
Aunt Judy stepped forward to investigate, motioning for Harry to keep behind her as they neared the cliff edge. It was just a few feet ahead of them, and Harry could see where the mossy ground crumbled away to nothing.
“Careful, Harry,” she said. “There’s quite a drop down the cliff. Don’t come any further.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t,” said Harry, stopping where he was. The bleating cry of the goat came again. “It sounds as if it’s scared,” said Harry. From where they were standing they could see the rocky face of the cliff below them. There were a few small shrubs clinging to its ledges, but it looked very steep.
“Do you think one of the goats is down there?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” said Aunt Judy. “The goats rarely go on to the cliffs. The bleating does sound like a distress call though.”
Aunt Judy went back to the safety of the cliff path, beckoning for Harry to follow. “Let’s go a little further down the path and see if we can catch sight of the goat. We might have a clearer view from there.”
Harry scanned the cliff face as they walked. The bleating sound was getting louder and louder, so they must be close now.
“Look, Harry!” cried Aunt Judy. “You’re right, there is one down there. Just beneath that pointy rock.”
Harry dropped his gaze and suddenly saw her – a large brown and white goat a little way down from the cliff top. She was standing on a cliff ledge, but it was so narrow, there was hardly any room for her to move. Harry had no idea how she could have got there, let alone how she would get up again.
“She must have got separated from the herd,” said Aunt Judy. She turned to the dogs. “Sit, Patch! Sit, Tilly,” she said quietly. “We don’t want anything to startle the goat,” she explained to Harry.
Harry kept his eyes fixed on the goat “She’s not trying to climb up the cliff. Oh no!” he said, suddenly realizing what was happening. “I think she’s stuck. What are we going to do?”
Aunt Judy watched the goat closely for a few more moments. “I just want to see if she can climb up the cliff by herself,” she said. But the goat seemed reluctant to move.
“I think we should call the RSPCA,” said Aunt Judy. “I could call their 24-hour helpline, but my friend Charlie is the local inspector. He helps me keep an eye on the herd. It might be quicker to ring him. He doesn’t live very far away, so he should be able to get to us quickly. Can you take the dogs for a moment?”
She passed Harry the leads and he held on tightly, patting the dogs with his other hand to keep them occupied. It was comforting to stroke Patch’s soft coat and to feel Tilly’s warm body pressed up against him.
Aunt Judy pulled her mobile phone out of her coat pocket. She flicked through her contacts and clicked on Charlie’s number.
Harry waited while the phone rang, willing Aunt Judy’s friend to answer. Then came a male voice on the other end of the line.
“Hello, Charlie. It’s Judy. Can you hear me?”
She turned her back to the wind as she spoke. “I’m up on the cliff tops,” she went on, speaking loudly so she could be heard over the strong gusts of wind. “I’m by the feral goats and it looks as though one of them is in trouble. She seems to be stuck on a cliff ledge. Do you think you’d be able to come and take a look?”
Harry listened while Charlie and Aunt Judy spoke. She began describing exactly where they were on the cliffs, which Harry thought had to be a good sign – Charlie must have said he’d be able to come.
“That’s great,” Aunt Judy said at last. “Thanks so much. Yes, we’ll wait here.”
She put down her phone and gave Harry a reassuring smile. “He’s on his way,” she said.
“Phew,” said Harry. “I’m glad that he’s coming. I didn’t realize the RSPCA had an emergency service.”
“I know,” said Aunt Judy. “It’s reassuring to know there’s someone you can call when an animal’s in danger.”
“What do we do now?” asked Harry.
“Charlie says we should wait here until he comes, to keep an eye on the goat,” Aunt Judy replied.
“I can do that,” said Harry.
“We need to keep away from the cliff edge though,” said Aunt Judy, “and watch from a safe distance. We don’t want the emergency services having to rescue us too!”
Harry and Aunt Judy stepped back a bit so they were safely on the path, but still had the goat in view. Patch and Tilly began tugging at the leads, wanting to see what all the fuss was about.
“Down, Patch. Down, Tilly,” said Aunt Judy gently. The dogs sat immediately, but then Tilly began to bark, as if sensing that something exciting was happening.
“I’m going to call Uncle Martin to come and get the dogs,” said Aunt Judy. “I don’t want them to disturb the goat.”
She took out her phone again and didn’t have long to wait until Martin answered. “We’ve found a goat in trouble,” she said, keeping her voice calm. “Charlie’s going to come and take a look at it, but we’re going to stay here until he arrives. Do you think you could come and get the dogs? I’m worried they might startle the goat by barking at her.”
Aunt Judy chatted for a while longer, while Harry gave Patch a quick tummy rub.
“He’s going to come straight away,” said Aunt Judy, slipping her phone back into her coat pocket. “Do you want me to take the dogs, or are you OK holding them?”
“I’ve got them,” said Harry, holding up his arm so she could see he had the leads safely wrapped around his hands. Then he looked back at the goat. She had shifted her position slightly, but hadn’t made it any further up the cliff face. She had a distinctive white diamond between her eyes, and little white patches on her coat. Otherwise she was a rich, dark brown. He kept his eyes fixed on the goat, willing her to look at him, hoping that she might be comforted by their presence. At last, she looked up, bleating loudly when she saw them.
“I know, I know,” said Harry. “Help is on its way, I promise.”
He knew she couldn’t understand him, but hoped that at least his voice might reassure her.
“Here comes Martin,” said Aunt Judy, pointing to a figure in the distance. Patch and Tilly pricked up their ears at the sound of his name, and started wagging their tails.
Harry was about to wave to him, but Aunt Judy placed her hand on his arm. “We shouldn’t make any sudden movements,” she said, “or shout. It might scare the goat.”
“I didn�
�t think of that,” said Harry. He waited for Martin as he came along the path towards them. “I think he’s carrying a bag,” said Harry, as Uncle Martin approached.
A few moments later and Uncle Martin had reached them. “Hello,” he said. “What’s the latest? Can you show me where the goat is?”
Harry pointed down to the goat on the cliff face.
“That’s odd,” said Uncle Martin. “I’ve never seen a goat get stuck like that. Maybe she’s injured. I’m sure Charlie will be able to help though,” he added, seeing Harry’s anxious expression. “Now, look what I’ve brought for you two.”
He opened his bag to show a couple of scarves, two woolly hats and a pair of binoculars. “I’ve brought you a thermos of hot chocolate, as well. I thought you might need sustenance on your rescue mission. And it can get quite chilly if you’re standing about in these winds.”
“Thanks, Uncle Martin,” said Harry, handing over the dog leads as Uncle Martin passed him the bag. Harry smiled at him while he sipped on the warming hot chocolate. “But what about the goat?” he said, suddenly. “Won’t she be cold and hungry, too?”
“It’s OK,” said Aunt Judy. “Look – she’s got shelter from those overhanging rocks, and there’s grass and moss growing in between the cracks in the rocks that she can nibble on.”
“Let’s take a look through the binoculars,” suggested Uncle Martin. “There we are,” he said, peering through them. “She’s got a little puddle of water to drink so she won’t be too thirsty.”
“Can I see?” asked Harry.
Uncle Martin handed over the binoculars. “I’d better be getting back to the farm,” he said. “I’ve got some work on the hedgerows to do. I’ll have a nice log fire waiting for you when you get home, though. Come on, Patch. Come on, Tilly.”
He gave Aunt Judy a quick kiss, ruffled Harry’s hair, then set off back to the farm, the dogs trotting obediently after him.
“Back to our goat duties,” said Aunt Judy, pulling on her hat and scarf. “I’m glad Martin brought the hot chocolate,” she said, as Harry passed her the thermos. “It’s definitely getting chilly out here. Charlie shouldn’t be too much longer though.”
Harry was busy looking at the goat through the binoculars. “These are amazing,” he said. “I can see every detail of her face. Look – she’s got orange eyes, and funny-shaped pupils. They look like slits.”
He tried focusing the binoculars so he could see the goat even more clearly, but she suddenly disappeared from view.
“Oh!” Aunt Judy cried in surprise.
Harry lowered the binoculars and gasped. The goat had started climbing, picking her way back up the cliff face.
“She’s found a way up! I hope she doesn’t fall.”
“I’m sure she won’t,” said Aunt Judy. “Goats have suction pads under their hooves that’ll help her grip on to the rocks.”
Even so, Harry found he was holding his breath as the goat leaped from ledge to ledge. “Please let her make it,” he whispered to himself.
Then, with one final bound, she was over the top. Harry stood looking at the goat, standing proudly on the safe ground, and let out a huge sigh of relief. “She made it,” he gasped.
Harry stayed still for a while. He didn’t want to startle the goat and send her back down the cliff! The goat didn’t seem to want to move either, though, and was still bleating loudly.
“I wonder why she still seems distressed,” said Aunt Judy, thinking aloud. “It didn’t seem like she was injured when she was climbing up the cliff.”
“Maybe she’s in shock?” suggested Harry.
“Well, at least Charlie can look her over,” said Aunt Judy. “Oh, here he is now, coming down the path.”
Harry looked over to see a tall man dressed in a uniform of navy blue trousers, a black waterproof jacket and stout walking shoes, covered in mud. He had thick, curly black hair and as he came closer Harry could see a badge on his chest, with the letters RSPCA picked out in white.
Aunt Judy walked quickly towards him, and Harry followed.
“Hi, Charlie,” she said in a low voice, being careful not to disturb the goat. “I think I may have called you unnecessarily. The goat’s just this moment scrambled back up the cliff. She’s the brown and white one over there,” she added, pointing towards the goat.
“You did right to call me,” said Charlie, smiling at Aunt Judy. He had an outdoors sort of face, as if he were used to being out in all weathers. Harry noticed lots of crinkle lines around his eyes as he smiled.
“And this is my nephew, Harry,” said Aunt Judy. “He was very helpful at keeping the dogs under control before Martin took them away.”
“Hello, Harry,” said Charlie. He held out his hand and Harry shook it firmly, suddenly feeling very grown up and responsible. “Thanks for all your help,” Charlie continued. “It must have been quite tense keeping watch on her.”
“It was,” said Harry. “But it was great to know you were on your way. We were worried for a while that she really was stuck down there.”
“I’d still like to check her over,” Charlie said. He rested his chin in his hand, looking deep in thought for a moment as he gazed at the goat. Harry noticed for the first time that he was wearing a large rucksack. Charlie took it off his back and began having a look through it.
“Are you going to try and catch her?” asked Harry.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to do that,” said Charlie smiling. “I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a goat run, but she’d be far too quick for me. I don’t want to distress her either, by giving chase. But,” he went on, pulling a small black bucket from his bag, “I’m hoping I’ll be able to tempt her over with this.”
“What’s in it?” asked Harry, peering in.
“Nothing yet,” said Charlie. “But I’ve brought some goat food pellets with me, and with a bit of luck, she’ll come to me if I shake them about in the bucket.”
The goat already seemed interested in Charlie’s bag. Her nose was twitching and she was looking at him inquisitively.
“If we can get her to come over, do you want me to try to keep hold of her while you give her a health check?” asked Aunt Judy.
“I’m hoping she’ll stay still for long enough without us having to,” said Charlie, who had already started to pour the goat food into the bucket. He did it as loudly as possible, trying to keep the goat’s attention.
“Can I help at all?” asked Harry.
Charlie looked him over, then handed Harry the bucket. “You look like you’re up to being part of the team,” he said. “I need you to start shaking the food in the bucket, and then walk backwards a little way, very slowly. Hopefully the goat will follow you.”
“OK,” said Harry. He really hoped their plan was going to work.
“If the goat does come to feed, put the bucket down and step away, keeping your movements small and quiet,” said Charlie. “Hopefully she’ll be so keen to get to the food, she won’t be put off by the rest of us.”
Harry felt a little nervous as he started to shake the bucket. He didn’t want to trip over or anything, and scare the goat away.
“Come on, girl,” he whispered, as he rattled the food around. For a moment, it looked as if the goat wasn’t going to be tempted. She stayed exactly where she was, watching Harry closely. But then she began walking slowly towards the bucket, keeping her eyes fixed on Harry all the time.
She picked her way nimbly across the short tufts of grass, until she was in touching distance. Harry couldn’t believe he was standing so close to a wild animal. He could hear her breathing and see her sides rising and falling, and the delicate ridges along her curving horns.
At last, her nose was at the rim of the bucket. Holding his breath, Harry put it down on the ground as gently as he could, then stepped away.
Charlie crouched down by the goat’s
side and began casting an expert eye over her. “She looks to be in good health,” he said at last. “Her eyes are clear. Her nose isn’t running and her breathing is normal. Her coat looks to be in good condition, too, and so do her hooves.”
“But she does seem distressed,” Judy pointed out.
Charlie nodded in agreement, and Harry noticed that even though the goat had finished feeding, she wasn’t trying to get away from them and join the other feral goats. She kept glancing back towards the cliff face, as if she were looking for something.
“Her udders are full,” Charlie commented, still looking her over.
“Does that mean she’s got a baby?” asked Judy. “Perhaps that’s why she’s distressed. She could have been separated from her kid when she went down the cliff.”
“She might have one,” Charlie replied. “But a goat’s udders can fill with milk months after the babies have been suckled, so I can’t say for sure.”
As he spoke, the goat bleated again and moved back towards the cliff face. “That’s odd,” remarked Charlie. He looked as if he were deep in thought.
“Perhaps her kid feels too nervous to come back, with us all being here?” suggested Aunt Judy. “Should we go away and try checking on her later today?”
“Our presence shouldn’t stop a kid coming to its mother,” replied Charlie.
“Is there any other reason the goat could be distressed?” asked Harry. He felt as if this was a puzzle that had to be solved.
“I’m not sure,” said Charlie. “We could take her in for a more thorough health check, but that wouldn’t be a good idea if she has a kid waiting for her.”
Harry suddenly remembered the binoculars Uncle Martin had given him. “I know, I’ll use these to look around,” he said. “I might be able to spot a kid on its own.”
“Good thinking,” said Aunt Judy, smiling at him. As Aunt Judy and Charlie talked about what they should do next, Harry started scanning the horizon. He was able to pick out lots of goats dotted along the horizon, and even some kids on their own, but all of them had adults close by, and none seemed distressed.
