BEYOND THE WIRE FENCE.

Beyond the wire Fence.

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the paddock, bathing the old farmyard in light. Beyond the barbed wire fence, life unfolded at its usual, unhurried pace. A curious pig rooted around near an overturned trough, occasionally glancing up at a sheep nibbling lazily on the sparse grass.

The farm's heart was its weathered shed, its wide-open doors revealing a cluttered haven of tools, spare parts, and a rusted tractor that had seen better days. Hanging from the walls were coils of rope, an old lantern, and a faded clock that hadn’t ticked in years. The shed smelled of oil, dust, and the faint scent of hay—a nostalgic perfume of hard work and time gone by.

Near the shed, the silhouette of a windmill spun slowly, creaking rhythmically with the breeze. A water tank stood beside it, the chipped paint spelling out "Drink Me" in an ironic nod to Alice in Wonderland. Behind the shed, the farm's modest cottage peeked out, smoke curling from its chimney, promising tea and freshly baked bread.

Old Blue, the farm's loyal border collie, lounged in the shade of a tree near the tractor. His sharp eyes missed nothing as he kept watch over the animals and the yard. He perked up at the sound of a distant vehicle, a visitor perhaps? But it was just the breeze, playing tricks again.

Over the hills in the distance, snow-capped peaks loomed, a reminder of the rugged terrain that framed this peaceful life. The mountains seemed to watch over the farm, timeless and silent.

Suddenly, a young girl burst out of the cottage, her red gumboots kicking up dust as she ran. In her arms, she carried a basket filled with scraps for the pig and sheep. She stopped by the fence, her face lit up with a mischievous smile.

"Here you go, Daisy! Share with Woolly, will you?" she said, tossing the scraps over the fence. The pig grunted in delight, and the sheep ambled over, unimpressed but curious.

Her grandfather appeared at the shed door, wiping his hands on an old rag. "You spoil them, Ellie," he chuckled, his voice warm and gravelly.

Ellie shrugged, her grin widening. "They deserve it. They’re family too."

The old man nodded, leaning against the doorframe, his gaze sweeping over the land. It wasn’t a big farm, nor a fancy one, but it was theirs. Every tree, every blade of grass, and every rusty nail in the shed held a story.

As the day wore on, the farmyard hummed with quiet activity. A chicken clucked around the feed bins, the pig snoozed contentedly in the sun, and Ellie helped her grandfather repair a broken wheelbarrow. Beyond the wire fence, life carried on, simple yet full of heart.

And in the shadow of the mountains, the farm stood steady, a sanctuary of memories and dreams, tethered by love and the unyielding rhythm of the land.