The New Baby Calf

The New Baby Calf
by Edith Newlin Chase

Buttercup the cow had a new baby calf, a fine baby calf, a strong baby calf. Not strong like his mother but strong for a calf, for this baby calf was so new.

Birdsong Blossom's Daisy, born August 23, 2007

Buttercup licked him with her strong warm tongue. Buttercup washed him with her strong warm tongue. Buttercup brushed hims with her strong warm tongue. And the new baby calf liked that!

Birdsong Princess Sonja, born March 14, 2010

The new baby calf took a very little walk, a teeny little walk, a tiny little walk. His skinny legs wobbled when he took that little walk, and the new baby calf fell down.

Birdsong Autumn Aster, born September 5, 2009

Buttercup told him with a soft, low "Moo-oo!" that he was doing well for one so very new. She talked very gently, as mother cows do. And the new baby calf liked that!

Birdsong Princess Grace, born May 3, 2013

The new baby calf took another little walk, a little longer walk, a little stronger walk. He walked around his mother and he found a place to drink. And the new baby calf liked that!

Birdsong Princess Diana, born November 17, 2012

Buttercup told him with another low "Moo-oo!" that drinking milk from mother was a fine thing to do. She had enough for him, and for the farmer too. And the new baby calf liked that!

Birdsong Shirley Rose, born September 24, 2012

The new baby calf drank from mother every day. His legs grew strong so he could run and kick and play. He began to eat grass, and lots of grain and hay. And the big baby calf grew fat!

Birdsong Copper Penny, born October 17, 2012

The first six calves illustrating this poem--Daisy, Aster, Princess Sonja, Shirley Rose, Diana, and Grace--were all bred by and born on Birdsong Farm. The seventh calf, Penny, was bred by Birdsong Farm, but was born to Blossom's new owners, Wallace & Josephine Gosset.