Bo Peep's Sheep

Fractured Tales

Jack Be Nimble was happily jumping over the candlestick when he was interrupted by Bo Peep.

OH! Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Nimble Something terrible has happened. Will you help me, cried Bo Peep.

“Why? What has happened?” Jack Be Nimble asked, as he continued to jump over the candlestick.

“I’ve lost my sheep and don’t know where to find them.” Bo Peep wailed.

“Now, now, stop that and tell me how you lost them?” Jack asked.

“I was sitting on the tuffet, eating curds and whey with Miss Muffet and we lost track of time.” Bo Peep sniffled. “A spider came and sat beside her and frightened Miss Muffet away and it was then I noticed my sheep had gone.” she cried.

"We'll find them," Jack Be Nimble said, noticing Tom, Tom the Pipers son running along the road.

“Hey! Tom, Stop!” Yelled Jack Be Nimble.

“What’s up?” Tom, Tom asked.

“Bo Peep has lost her sheep,” he said. “Can you put that pig down and help us find them?” He asked.

“Sure can.” Tom, Tom said, releasing the pig. “I’ll look up while you look down,” he said with a laugh.

“Hey there goes Simple Simon, I’ll catch him up and ask him to help." said Tom, Tom.

“He won’t help, he’s off to the fair.” cried Bo Peep.

“Oh! I’m sure he will help.” Tom, Tom said, running after Simple Simon.

Jack Be Nimble and Bo Peep headed south and came across three mice.

“Have you seen my sheep?” Bo Peep asked.

“We are all blind,” they chanted. “We can’t see but we did hear a lot of noise at Mother Hubbard’s house.” The three mice laughed and giggled, as they scampered away.

“Thank you,” Bo Peep called, closely following Jack Be Nimble to Mrs Hubbard’s house.

When they arrived, Mrs Hubbard was in the front yard playing with her dog.

“Have you got Bo Peeps sheep?” Jack Be Nimble asked.

“Why would I have Bo Peeps Sheep?” Mother Hubbard snapped.

“Three blind mice said they…

“Oh! Them,” Mother Hubbard interrupted. “They were playing hickory dickery dock in my clock and I chased them away. Come see for your self, my yard is empty and my cupboards are bare.” Old Mother Hubbard scolded.

“Thanks,” Bo Peep said, as she tugged Jack Be Nimble’s sleeve and pulled him away.

They passed Mary Mary’s garden and Jack Be Nimble climbed the fence to have a look.

“Are they there?” asked Bo Peep, anxiously.

“No, there are just heaps of Cottle shells and Mottle shells all in pretty rows.” he replied, sliding down the fence.

Jack and Jill walked past and Jack called out, “What are you up to Jack Be Nimble?”

“I’m helping Bo Peep look for her sheep,” Jack be Nimble replied. “Where are you two off to?” he asked.

“Jill and I are on our way up the hill to fetch a pail of water.” Jack said, as he started to walk away.

“We will have a look from the top of the hill,” Jill called, as she followed Jack up the hill.

“I’ll never find my sheep.” Bo Peep cried. “People will make fun of me.” She sobbed.

“We’ll find them,” Jack Be Nimble told her, trying to comfort her. “Look there is Humpty Dumpty sitting on a wall, maybe he’s seen them,” He said, running towards Humpty Dumpty.

Jack Be Nimble told Humpty Dumpty how Bo Peep had lost her sheep. Humpty Dumpty began to laugh. “That’s funnier than watching the cat play, Hey Diddle, Diddle on the fiddle while the cow, tries to jump over the moon. Ha. Ha. Ha," he laughed loudly.

“Stop laughing Humpty Dumpty!" Jack shouted. “It’s not funny, and be careful you don’t fall.”

“Here comes Jack and Jill, wait till I tell them,” Humpty Dumpty laughed.

Jack Be Nimble turned around and saw Jack walking along holding his head and Jill came limping behind him.

“We found them, we found them,” Jack and Jill shouted in unison.

“Where Oh, Where are they?” Bo Peep squealed excitedly.

Before Jack and Jill could reply, Little Jack Horner called out. “What’s all the commotion about, Can’t a boy eat his pie in peace.” He snapped.

“I’ve found Bo Peep’s sheep, “Jack told him. “They are in farmer John’s meadow and his cows are in his corn.”

Jack Be Nimble called to little Jack Horner, “be a good boy and go find little Boy Blue. We need him to come blow his horn so Bo Peep can get her sheep."

Jack Horner scampered away, mumbling and grumbling, as he disappeared.

Soon the sound of little Boy Blue’s horn echoed throughout and everyone gathered at the end of Humpty Dumpty's wall. Old Mother Hubbard, Mary, Mary quite Contrary and Tom, Tom the Pipers son joined the crowd. Simple Simon gathered the three blind mice and stuffed them in his pocket, as he pushed to the front.

“They’re coming! They’re coming," called Humpty Dumpty.

The crowd cheered as Baa, Baa black sheep rounded the corner and Bo Peep’s sheep followed, with their tails a wagging behind them.