COMING HOME

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on September 2016

The morning was filled with the sounds and smells of spring. It gave Annie such a good feeling as she stood looking out over the pasture.
“I love this time of the day before everyone gets up. It must be a girl thing.†she thought to herself.
“I will give you a penny for your thoughts Annie.â€
“Oh Baby, I wasn’t expecting anyone up this early.†she replied
“When I woke up, I felt rested so I decided it was time to start the day.â€
“What’s this about you giving me a penny to tell you what my thoughts were?â€
“That is just a phrase that I heard our owner say once. Can I join you?â€
“I was just thinking how nice it would be to have other horses in that empty field behind us that we could hang out with.â€
“I remember when there were horses there and each morning we would greet each other with a brag. They
left the field one day and never returned. There was also a baby that grew up there by the name of Sally.â€
“Joseph! Is that you and are you really awake this early!!!?â€
“Let’s just say I had help from the family in the nest above my head.â€
“Joseph! Is that you and are you really awake this early!!!?â€
“Let’s just say I had help from the family in the nest above my head.â€
“You can join us if you wish. We are just taking in the view and chattingâ€
“Let me get a drink first.â€
As Joseph returned he could see that something had peaked Annie’s interest.
“Let me back this train up for a minute. Did you say there was a baby, once, in that field?â€
“There was Annie, but at that time you were too small to notice.â€
“You mean a mother and her baby together?â€
“Yes. Sally was there with her mom. There was also another horse that we called Sally’s grandmother because she was always teaching her things about growing up.â€
Annie turned her head and became silent.
“Are you alright Annie?†asked Joseph.
“Sometimes, I wish I had another girl to talk to. It is just what we like to do, that’s all.â€
“You’re having to put up with us all the time and us not understanding the things that make you a girl, must be hard.â€
“Awww Joseph, that was so nice of you to say! There are those times that I need a girl to talk to but I still love my family, if you know what I mean.â€
“We do Annie.†whispered Baby.
“Can we join in on whatever you are all talking about?†asked Havier as he came into the barn with Jake.
Baby brought them up to speed on what the conversation was about.
“Sometime, it would be nice to hear all about what it was like then. We haven’t had story time under the big tree for a long time.â€
“Sounds good to me. I don’t know about the rest of you but I am going to fall over with hunger if I don’t eat.†Joseph laughed as he walked off for breakfast.
Later on that afternoon there was an unfamiliar sound coming from the tree line behind the pasture.
“I can’t see what that is. Can you Annie?†asked Baby.
“No, but I think Jake is walking over to where the sound is coming from. Maybe he will be able to tell us.â€
When Jake returned the little ones found out it was nothing to worry about. Someone was doing some work to the fencing.
“Interesting. I wonder what that’s all about? I guess we will just have to wait and see.â€
“Joseph, you know you are just as curious as the rest of us!â€
“I know but I had to have some fun.â€
“JOSEPH !!!!!â€
The sun was slowly reaching the horizon to end another day, when again, there was a strange noise coming from the field. The neighbour was there with a tractor cutting down all the grass that had grown up over time.
“I am going to take a run back to the fence and see if I can find out anything on what is going on.†Jake said.
“I am going too.†said Annie.
“Sorry, Annie, not this time. You have to stay with the rest until we find out what is happening, if we can.†shouted Havier as he ran to catch up with Jake.
“I don’t like having to stay behind. I will, but that doesn’t mean I like it.†whispered Annie as she waited.
Moments later, Havier and Jake came back none the wiser than they were when they left.
“What did you find out?†asked Joseph.
“When our neighbour stopped to see us, all he said was how handsome we were. Oh well! Tomorrow is another day.â€
“Havier, doesn’t he know enquiring minds need to know?†asked Annie.
“Patience is a virtue and I have a lot of it so I can wait.â€
“JOSEPH, one of these days…..!!!!! shouted Annie.
“I know - to the moon I go.†Joseph laughed as he walked away.
The next day started off in its normal fashion at the barn. As breakfast finished there was a sound of a truck coming up the road and the closer it got, the slower it came. Annie ran outside to see as it turned up the neighbour’s lane.
“Just our neighbour coming home.†Annie shouted as she made her way back to the others.
As the day wore on the Little Ones played a few games of tag and I spy. Havier and Jake found that there wasn’t anything more relaxing on a spring day than sleeping in the pasture. Then suddenly…………
“Joseph! Did you hear that noise?†yelled Baby.
“I did. There it is again and it is coming from the pasture!â€
“Come Little Ones, I think you are going to like what you see.†said Jake.
“Wow!!!! What on earth???!!!!†yelled Baby.
There, in the field where all the work was being done, stood two horses and a baby. No one said a word as they looked at each other.
“I don’t want them to think we are unfriendly just standing here looking back. We should go over and say hello Havier.â€
“Great idea Joseph! Let’s do it!â€
“Annie, are you alright?’ asked Baby.
“I am just a bit nervous, that’s all Baby.â€
“Why? You are never nervous when meeting new horses.†whispered Baby.
“I don’t know why Baby. Maybe she won’t like me.â€
“Annie, it is going to be alright, just wait and see.â€
“Ok Baby but can I stay close to you until I see if she does like me.â€
Baby realized then how important it was to Annie to have a friendship with the new horses.
“I got you Annie and I can’t see why they won’t like you.
“Oh I hope you are right Baby. I’m ready.â€

To be continued

Hi everyone I hope you return next month to see the conclusion of our story. Do you have any idea of what it may be? We are happy to be back and sharing all that has happened with you.
Until then stay safe and kind to all

Baby, Joseph, Annie, Havier ,Jake and the Cats