"Today," said Suzy, "we're showing Little Thunder's cousins around the farm. And we're going to do it the safe way."

The visitors were young calves called Lima and Oslo, and they wanted to see everything at once.

"Can we swim in the dam?" asked Lima, already trotting towards the water.

Spike stepped in front of her. "Not without a grown-up. Dams can be deep and muddy, and you can't see the bottom. We look from the bank."

They stopped at the shed, where the tractor was parked. Oslo wanted to climb on the big wheel.

"Machines are only for trained grown-ups," said Little Thunder. "Even when they're switched off, we stay well back."

Near the woodpile, Suzy suddenly froze. A long brown snake was sunning itself on a log.

"Everyone stop," she said calmly. "Back away slowly, and never try to touch it or chase it. We give snakes plenty of space and tell a grown-up."

The calves stepped back, eyes wide, and the snake slid quietly into the grass.

Later, dark clouds rolled over the hills and thunder rumbled far away.

"Storm coming," said Spike. "Time to get under a proper roof. Not under a tree, and not out in the open paddock."

They all hurried into the hay shed and listened to the rain drumming on the iron.

"I thought farms were just fun," said Oslo.

"They are fun," said Little Thunder. "And they're the most fun when everyone gets home safe."

When the sun came back, the calves made a list of safety rules and stuck it on the gate for every visitor to read.