HOMECOMING

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on December 2014

Jack Frost had danced through the trees and shrubs during the wee hours of the morning causing a bit of a chill to the morning air. The Little Ones had slept close together near the hay bales, which kept them warm during the night. Only their noses felt the chill that was in the air.
“Oh, I think Jack was around last night by the feel of my nose,†Baby said as he gave a big yawn.
“Who are you talking about? Jack Z, our Ferrier?â€
“No Baby! Jack Frost. Jack Z won't make my nose cold. He would make my feet feel good. I am going to check and see what he has been up to.†shouted Annie as she ran to the window for a peep.
“Baby, if you think about it, Jack is a lot later than he was last year.†Joseph said as he opened one eye.
“Yep, Mr. Frost dropped by for sure. Almost everything has his signature on it.â€
“Pray tell what might that be Annie?â€
“Oh Joseph, you know, everything is white and shiny just like diamonds.â€
“Only a girl would describe it that way.â€
“JOSEPH! Hello I am a girl!!!!!!!
“Yes, Annie. We all know you are.â€
“It is hard being a girl sometimes you know…………..â€
“Annie, what is the matter? You didn’t finish your sentence.†said Baby.
“I just realized - I am the only girl in the barn now without TC.â€
“As you are the only girl now Annie, I am the only horse too.â€
“What do you mean Baby? What about Joseph, Havier and Jake?â€
“Think about it just for a minute, Annie.â€
“There is nothing to think about Baby. I’m the only girl and you are the only…………..WOW!!! You are right! Havier and Jake are Mules. Joseph is a miniature donkey. I am a girl plus a miniature donkey like Joseph and…. Baby you ARE the only horse!â€
“That is interesting, to say the least, but the stomach is yelling at me for food. Anyone want to join me for breakfast?â€
Later on in the day the sun managed to break through, melting away all of Jack Frost’s masterpiece.
“The rays from the sun feel so good.†Annie whispered.
“I’m just not feeling it like I would like to. My coat is so thick this year.†said Baby.
“All the better to stay warm with this year, buddy.â€
“You are so right Joseph.â€
“I could stay here all day but I want to see if there might be a few blades of green grass around.â€
“If that is what you want to do Annie, then go for it but I am just going to soak up a few more rays before I move on.†replied Baby.
It couldn’t have been a minute later when Annie came bouncing back.
“Hurry everyone! Something is going on with our owners.â€
“What are you saying Annie?â€
“Joseph, all I saw was our owners walking to the barn and one said they were going to “sky†with us. We see the sky every day. I don’t understand. Really I don’t.â€
“I have no idea either Annie.†Joseph answered.
“Ok. I’m going to have to check this one with out with Havier and Jake.†Annie shouted as she ran off.
It didn’t take long to find Havier and Jake. They were finishing off the hay they had left from breakfast.
“Can someone tell me what “sky†is please?â€
Then she went on to explain to them what she had heard.
“That sounds like skype. What’s your take on it Jake?â€
“Could be. I really don’t know, Havier.â€
“Ok. My enquiring mind needs to know….what is skype?’
“You mean you don’t know, Annie?
“I could say something like this to you Havier. How do you know?â€
“Well that is one of the ways our owners found me, was on skype.â€
“Havier, that was the computer. Not that thing called skype.†Jake answered.
“Well, I guess you don’t know any more than us Havier. We better go and see what this skype is.â€
By this time, the owners were at the barn……..
“Would you like to see Baby and Joseph? They are standing right here at the fence.â€
Baby and Joseph looked at one another…….â€WHAT!!!!†they both shouted at the same time.
Before they could get a chance to say another word they found this funny looking mirror pointed at them and it had faces staring back at them. It was too much for them and off they ran to the barn. Once inside the barn…..
“What was that, and better yet, who was that looking at us. They looked like familiar faces, didn’t they Joseph?†asked Baby.
“Sort of, but what was that mirror that show us faces like that?â€
“For a minute, Joseph, I thought I saw us too, in the corner.â€
“Baby, so did I, but I thought I was losing it. Maybe we better go back and see what is going on.†Joseph replied.
By the time they got back, Havier had the mirror facing him and he seemed to be enjoying it. Jake was standing right next to Havier, taking everything in. The face in the mirror was yelling back, “Come, Little Ones. Skype with us.â€
“Come closer Little Ones and say hi. I am not sure but I think this is skype.â€
All this time, Annie had been standing back a bit, too afraid to look at the mirror.
“I might, now that Baby and Joseph are here. Will it hurt me?†asked Annie.
“No, silly. It is very safe. In fact, it makes you look really good.â€
“Really?â€
“Yes, Annie. I wouldn’t lie to you.â€
“Then I guess if it makes you look as good as you say it does, how can I resist? I am a girl you know. Come on Baby and Joseph, let’s check out this mirror.â€
For the next few minutes the faces interacted with them.
“Well, I guess it’s time to go, but we will see you soon. Bye for now.†Suddenly the mirror went black.
“So, that is what skype is all about. Talking into a mirror.†Annie mumbled.
“Guess so, but what do they mean by “see us soon�†Baby asked with somewhat of a puzzled look.
“If I don’t say so myself, it was kind of neat to have a mirror that talked back. As for making us look good….priceless.â€
“JOSEPH!!!â€
A few weeks passed and the interaction with skype had faded from their minds. Then……….
“Hi everybody! Come, Violet, let’s go and see the animals in the barn.†yelled this voice from the house.
Everyone looked at each other.
“Violet. Isn’t that that the baby’s name that was here last Christmas and in the summer?†asked Annie.
“Yes, that’s right. I remember her mother carrying her around in her arms.†answered Jake.
Then suddenly they could see them coming over the bridge.
“Guess she is not a baby anymore.â€
“Why would you say that Joseph?â€
“Take a look Baby. She is not in her mother’s arms that I can see.â€
“No, you are right Joseph. She is walking….wow!!
As they got closer the Little Ones could see how much she had grown, especially when she was almost nose to nose with Baby.
“She is really glad to see us, I think. I am glad to see them too.†Joseph whispered.
“Oh Joseph, you have a soft spot!†Baby replied as Violet came over and touched them on their noses.
“We are home for Christmas everyone. Isn’t that exciting!†said Violet’s mom.
Suddenly Annie realized what she had said.
“Christmas is coming and that means lots of treats!â€
“We get treats at Christmas?†replied Jake.
“Oh, that’s right. You weren’t with us last Christmas. Well, are you in for a treat!†Joseph answered with his mind on the memories of the treats from last year.
It was almost time for supper so Violet had to say good bye until tomorrow as they made their way to the house.
Everyone had settled down for the night……………..
“Have a question - did anyone see the cats today?â€
“I did, Annie. Being grounded must be over.â€
“Do you know why they were grounded?†asked Annie.
“Is this that enquiring mind of yours asking?â€
“Well, sort of, Joseph.â€
“It has something to do with chickens. They got too curious with them, I guess. I wonder how Catsville is tonight?â€
“As good as good can be, Joseph .†came from the loft.
“Good night everyone.â€
“Good night Momma Kitty and family.â€

Hi Everyone. We hope you like our last story for 2014. Our year had its laughter and tears but we made it through. We know that not all can be together for the Holiday Season, for whatever reason. If you can’t share your season with your family and friends , reach out to those who don’t have anyone.
Have a safe and Happy holiday. See you in 2015.
From all of us at Stories From the Barn.