ANNIE AND THE ADJUSTMENTS
Written by Leona NielsenPublished on February 2013
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Looking through his window, Scout was just in time to see the moon say goodnight to the sun as it rose over the hill.
The sun seemed to be getting weaker, Scout thought. That could only mean one thing. Winter was coming. With everyone still asleep, this gave Scout a few minutes to think before breakfast……the silence was short lived.
Joseph woke with a big yawn and Baby decided to check Joseph’s teeth.
“Oh, Joseph, what big teeth you have!” said Baby as he stared into Joseph’s mouth.
“All the better to eat my hay.” replied Joseph.
“Scout, what kind of day is it going to be?” asked Baby.
Scout didn’t answer.
“Hey, Scout, did you hear me?” shouted Baby.
“Oh, I am sorry Baby but I was thinking. Yes, it is going to be a nice day.”
“What are we going to do today, Joseph?” asked Baby.
“I plan to stay out of trouble.” replied Joseph.
“Me too.”
“This has to be one of those days when our owners stay home. That’s why breakfast is late,” thought Baby as he stretched to see if anyone was coming. Just then the door opened and breakfast had arrived. For some reason it tasted really good this morning.
With full bellies, they started out for the day. Baby was grazing when he realized that the owners were still in the barn. Being curious, as he is, Baby wanted to see what was going on. He was about to peek in when……BANG!!! BANG!!!
Baby jumped off the ground and started running back to the field.
“Scout, what was that? Scout! Scout!”
“Slow down, Baby. That was just a hammer.”
“A hammer! What is a hammer and why is it in our barn? Joseph, do you know?” Baby asked nervously.
“Maybe we should go and see.” Scout said.
“Oh, no. I was there when the big bang happened. I’m not going back.” answered Baby.
“It’s not going to hurt you Baby. Joseph, are you coming?”
“Okay, wait for me.”
After they arrived at the barn Scout told them to have a look inside.
“I will if Joseph goes first.” said Baby.
“Go ahead Joseph.” said Scout
Joseph didn’t move.
“Alright, I will.” and Baby stood tall, put his chest out and peeked inside the barn.
“Scout! Scout! Oh, no! Your stall is gone. Scout where are you going? You can’t go away. Scout, did you hear me?” shouted Baby.
Just then, Joseph took a look and ran behind Scout with Baby.
“I don’t believe this.” said Joseph.
“Me neither Joseph." They are taking Scout away.
Missy had heard the noise and came over to see what was wrong. Scout explained what was happening.
“Little ones, don’t worry. Scout is not going away. You didn’t give him a chance to explain to you. Scout, continue, and little ones – no talking just listen.” said Missy as she stepped away.
Scout looked at Baby and Joseph and saw little tears coming down their faces.
“It’s going to be alright. Come with me and you will see.” answered Scout. Scout led them to the back of the barn.
“What is this Scout?” Baby and Joseph both asked.
There were new boards standing in the ground and others lying down.
“This is going to be my new stall.” Scout said proudly.
“That’s what all the banging is about.”
“Wow! What a big stall, Scout.” said Joseph.
“Is this because you are old that you need a stall like this? Then I can’t wait to get old.” replied Baby.
“Yep, it looks like a mansion for sure.” answered Joseph.
“No more questions. Let me finish please. No, it is only half for me.” said Scout.
“What!!” said Joseph.
“Only half for you.” replied Baby. This is not adding up thought Baby.
The banging started once again.
Scout noticed that Joseph was rubbing his head on his leg.
“What’s wrong Joseph?”
“I got a headache and it isn’t very nice.” replied Joseph as he walked away looking for a quiet place. Baby wanted to take a second look but when he did, something fell off the roof. He didn’t wait to investigate any further. Off he ran to find Joseph.
“The sky is falling Joseph. We have to find a place to hide.”
“What are you talking about Baby?”
Joseph looked up and everything seemed okay.
“Baby, I have a headache.”
“But Joseph, you still have to hide before the sky falls on you.” Baby shouted as he ran off to tell Scout. He came to a sliding stop right in front of Scout and told him what was happening.
“Oh Baby, that is the shingles that aren’t needed anymore, falling to the ground to make room for the new roof.” said Scout.
“Oh, I just can’t wait to get old. This is so exciting.” replied Baby.
Scout could only laugh at what he was hearing. The noise continued well past supper and finally it stopped. When morning came it continued again much to Joseph’s dislike as he still had a bit of a headache.
“I wish I could make you feel better Joseph.” said Baby.
“I wish I could make you feel better Joseph.” said Baby.
“Go tell the owners to have pity on me and stop the noise.” replied Joseph. Scout has been watching everything that was being done. This was his new stall and he wanted to make sure nothing was going to fall apart. Finally all the noise stopped and Joseph made his way towards the barn.
“How is your head, Joseph?” asked Baby.
“Not too bad.”
“I think we should all have a look inside.” Scout said.
“Oh, we have a really nice home.” Baby answered.
“What’s with the other stall Scout? Is someone coming?” Baby and Joseph wanted to know.
“That part I can’t tell you because I don’t know. We will have to wait together to see what’s happening.”
“Scout, how did you know about your new home?” asked Baby.
“I heard our owners talking.” answered Scout.
“Why didn’t you hang around and hear about that stall?” Joseph asked.
“I couldn’t do that because that would be being nosy, Joseph. When you hear something by accident like I did it’s okay but to stand listening when you shouldn’t is not right to do.” answered Scout.
Breakfast came early this morning.
“Scout, it is dark and we are having breakfast. What is up with this?” said Baby.
“Well, the clock went back last night and maybe the owners forgot to change their clocks.” said Scout.
“The clock went back where?” Baby asked, but before Scout could answer the truck started up.
“Oh no! We are going on another adventure.” shouted Joseph in a panic.
“It’s alright. I heard the truck pulling away.” said Scout.
“That’s good. I have already had my adventure with the headache.” replied Joseph.
A few hours later the sound of the truck was heard returning home.
“Joseph, what is that big box on the truck? Can you see?” asked Baby.
“Yes, I can but I don’t know.”
The owners got out and opened the door to the box. Joseph took one look, shook his head and ran to Baby.
“Joseph, what is wrong? You are so close to my face that I can’t see.” said Baby.
“Baby, tell me that I am not seeing what I think I do. Take another look for me Baby. Tell me something is wrong with my eyes!!!!!”
“All I see is a pair of big ears like yours.” Baby told him.
“You mean there is nothing wrong with my eyes, Baby and that is what I am seeing?”
“Yes, it is.”Baby and Joseph stood looking at the box. Then they heard,
“Hi! I’m Annie.”
“A GIRL!” they shouted.
Baby looked at Joseph. “Is your headache back?”
Hi everyone! We hope you liked our story. We know that you would like to learn more about Annie. In order to do so you will have to read the next issue of the Newsletter. This is when Annie will become part of our monthly stories.Our story next time is about Annie and the adjustment.See you then, and stay safe! Baby, Joseph and Scout