Banjo is a heartfelt and humorous story about an injured calf that was rescued and nursed back to health after having its hurt leg amputated. The calf earned the name Banjo, and although he was involved in many hilarious events-such as pulling our television out of the living room window-God allowed him to live his life as a pet to my family. From Banjo, we learned joy, empathy, and humor: "What a wonderful way for my brothers and me to learn that a disability may make you different, but the heart of a being is what makes you lovable."

As a hardworking little farm girl, I was reluctant to share my life stories with my classmates, but "the things that I was so afraid to speak about due to my youthful insecurities now make me feel proud and intent to share." Just like my students, may you enjoy some of the adventures we had with our three-legged calf named Banjo.