What better way to fall asleep than to count sheep — and better yet, a whole parade of them? Ever since the year 1273, Spanish shepherds have “migrated” (moved) their sheep from northern Spain to the warmer southern parts for winter. The farmers have always used the same paths that run right through the city of Madrid. So every November, nearly 1 million sheep walk past cafes, clothing stores and other places sheep don’t normally go — and they get to see all the great wool sweaters they’ve helped make!
Wee ones: If a sheep has 4 legs and you have 2, who has more?
Little kids: If the shepherds herded 600,000 sheep and 100,000 cows, how many animals was that in total? Bonus: If the sheep marched through Madrid on a Tuesday, but one got lost and didn’t make it out of the city until the next Monday, how many days was that one sheep in the city?
Big kids: If the sheep walked 12 miles of Madrid streets and saw 10 shops per mile, how many shops did the sheep see? Bonus: Spain is about 700 miles tall from north to south. If a sheep has to walk just half that distance, how far does it walk?
Answers:
Wee ones: The sheep.
Little kids: 700,000 animals. Bonus: 6 days, one less than an entire week.
Big kids: 120 shops. Bonus: 350 miles.
