Once upon a Munch Time, there was a cow called Munch.

Munch was the beloved friend of a little girl called Emily. Emily loved Munch very much and wherever Emily went, Munch went with her.

They lived at Twinkle Cottage in a little country village called Mooville.

One Spring afternoon Emily and her family took Munch out for a picnic to celebrate her third birthday. Munch loved her food, especially jelly sandwiches.

Emily`s mummy made Munch some yummy strawberry jelly sandwiches and also baked her a chocolate birthday cake.

They found a place to have their picnic under a shady oak tree in a little meadow and Emily`s mummy unpacked the picnic basket.

When they had finished eating their sandwiches, Emily`s mummy placed three candles on Munch`s birthday cake, and lit them with a match. Then the family sang `Happy Birthday` to her. Emily told Munch to close her eyes and make a wish as she blew out the candles.

"I wish I was a butterfly for the day", Munch thought to herself. She loved butterflies. They looked so kind and pretty and they could fly.

A few moments later Munch found herself fluttering over a field of grazing cows. There was a little steam in the field and beside it were lots of beautiful daffodils. She landed on one of the daffodils and had a little snooze as she was feeling a bit sleepy.

Suddenly, she was awoken as she felt a wet nose tickle her wings. As she opened her eyes she heard a soft moo-ing sound. A baby calf called Clover had come to say hello.

Meanwhile, poor Emily was heartbroken. Munch had vanished and she didn`t know where she was.

She had looked everywhere and it was now starting to get dark.

Munch returned to the tree just as Emily and her family were driving off. She would never be able to catch up with them with her tiny wings.

Munch curled up inside an empty bird`s nest and started to cry. She was afraid of the dark and it was turning very cold.

A few moments later, a baby ladybird called Spotty landed beside her.

Munch told Spotty that she was lost and although she knew her address she didn`t know her way home.

Spotty told Munch not to worry and that she would go and ask for directions.

Soon Spotty noticed some baby bunnies playing in the field and went over to them.

"Do you know the way to Twinkle Cottage?" she asked.

The bunnies shook their heads but told her they would hop off and ask the foals in the farm next door.

The foals went NAAAAAAY, shook their heads and said they would ask the calves.

The calves went MOOOOOO, shook their heads and said they would ask the lambs.

The lambs went BAAAAAAAH, shook their heads and said they would ask the piglets.

The piglets went OINK, shook their heads and said they would ask the ducklings.

The ducklings went QUACK, shook their heads and said they would ask the chicks.

The chicks went CLUCK, shook their heads and said they would ask the baby barn owl.

The baby barn owl went TWIT TWOO, nodded her head and gave Spotty directions.

When she finally returned, Munch was delighted to see her and off they flew.

Soon, Twinkle Cottage came into view and Munch was overjoyed. The kitchen window was open so Munch and Spotty flew in. Emily and her family were sitting at the kitchen table having supper.

"I`m back", Munch squeaked excitedly.

Emily and her family looked round puzzled . Munch had forgotten she was still a butterfly and they didn`t recognise her.

As Munch told them about her birthday wish a big puff of magic pink smoke filled the room and Munch was transformed back into a cow again. The family were delighted and Emily gave Munch a big hug. Everybody thanked Spotty for returning Munch home safely and told her she was welcome to pop in anytime.

As Emily and Munch snuggled up in bed that night, Munch promised Emily she would never wish to be anybody else ever again!

The following Saturday Emily`s mummy threw a garden party to celebrate Munch`s safe return. Spotty and the other animals were invited and they had a lovely time.

The garden was decorated with balloons and streamers and the guests played pass the parcel, musical chairs and hide and seek.

The sun was shining and everybody was happy.

Emily`s mummy gave the guests party bags when they left as a special treat and from that day onwards, the baby animals became the best of friends.

Whenever Munch sees a butterfly now she smiles but she is glad to be a cow.

THE END.