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Rent a Llama When Marcos slept, he dreamed. He dreamed of Ecuador. He dreamed of riding among sheep and llamas. When Marcos woke, he worried. Life was so different in America. Would it ever feel like home? Marcos's mother worried, too. She wanted him to be happy. "Marcos, today is your class trip to a ranch," she said one morning. Marcos said, "We used to live on a ranch, Mamá." "An American ranch will be different," she said. "Yes, just like everything else here," Marcos sighed. When Marcos got to school, he saw students excited about the trip. Mr. Perkins chose seat partners for the bus ride. Marcos sat with a boy named Ben. "Have you ever been to a ranch?" asked Ben. "Only in Ecuador," Marcos replied. "I go to this ranch every week to care for Mabel," said Ben. Marcos asked, "Who is Mabel?" "You'll see," said Ben. Soon they arrived at the ranch. The class met Ms. Vega, the owner. "Hello, everyone," said Ms. Vega. "And hi there, Ben," she added. Everyone looked at Ben. How did Ms. Vega know him? "Ben takes care of Mabel, one of our cows," said Ms. Vega. "I am in City to Farm," Ben explained. "It is a club where grownups help city kids learn about farms," he added. Ben continued, "I want to learn about cows, but I live in an apartment." "I can't keep a cow there," he joked. The class laughed. Ben added, "Ms. Vega rents Mabel to me for free, and I care for her." "Let's meet Mabel," said Ms. Vega. Ben led the class into a large barn with many stalls. When Marcos looked around, he got a surprise. In the second stall was a llama. Marcos spoke softly to the animal in Spanish. The llama stretched its long neck toward Marcos as if it understood. Marcos stroked its fur. Ms. Vega watched Marcos. "Do you like Ilamas?" she asked. Marcos nodded. "Sí. I mean, yes," he replied shyly. "My grandfather had llamas in Ecuador," he added. "Расо сame from Ecuador, too," said Ms. Vega. She smiled and asked, "Would you like to help care for him?" "Like Ben takes care of Mabel?" Marcos asked. Ms. Vega said, "Exactly." Marcos's heart sang. Ranches were different herebut llamas were the same! | Quizalize