MURPHY'S ADVENTURE

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on February 2013

The morning dew passes quietly over the mountain, resting softly on the meadow grass. The combination makes for a nice snack while grazing in the meadow.
Havier has been a member of the barn family for a very short time but has fit in very well with the daily routine.
Everyone had a good sleep except Joseph. The chirping above his head was a definite sign the family of birds had taken up residence once again.
“OF ALL THE PLACES THOSE BIRDS COULD BUILD, WHY DID THEY HAVE TO DO IT HERE!!!!!â€
“I guess they like our barn. You should be used to them by now, Joseph.†Annie said.
Joseph turned with THE look on his face
“Want to trade beds tonight Annie? You can get a firsthand experience of birds over your head.â€
“No thanks!!!!!â€
“Didn’t think so.†Joseph said as he put his head in the corner.
“Annie, don’t poke the bear.â€
“What does that mean? Joseph is a donkey not a bear and I am not poking him. See, I am standing on all my hoofs.!!"
"Oh Annie, Joseph didn‘t have a good sleep and he is grumpy."
“Why didn’t you say that in the first place?â€
Baby just shook his head. He knew this was one of those times that no matter what he said, Annie had an answer. Baby turned to Joseph who was still facing the corner.
“I could tell them that they are keeping you awake if you wish Joseph.â€
“Thanks Baby but I will get used to it. Everyone needs some place to call home.â€
He started walking towards the hay and thinking about what Joseph had just said when……… Murphy came through the window with a similar look on his face to what Joseph had.
“What’s up?†Baby asked.
“Do you have birds bothering you when you are trying to sleep Murphy?â€
“Oh Annie do I wish it had been.â€
“Why, what happened? Now I remember you were going to tell us something the day that Havier arrived.â€
“I just haven’t been able to get it out of my mind since then.â€
“Was it really that bad Murphy?†asked Baby.
“Maybe you need some counselling.â€
“I need something Annie. Anyone here got a few minutes so I can tell you what happened?â€
Even before Baby could get his answer out, Annie was yelling at the top of her lungs for TC and Havier. TC thought something was wrong by the way Annie was acting. She came running into the barn…..
“What has happened Little Ones?â€
“Nothing TC. Annie just got really excited because Murphy wants to tell us what happened to him.â€
“Oh†TC said with a sigh of relief.
Joseph couldn’t help but become interested even though he wanted to sleep.
“Gather around everyone. Murphy, you have the floor to tell us what happened.â€
“It’s not that big of a deal you know.†Murphy said.
“I think it is TC, because Murphy can’t get it out of his mind.â€
“If Baby is right Murphy, then I think you should tell us and maybe we will be able to help.â€
“Well, okay, if you think I should.â€
Silence fell on the barn as Murphy began.
“It all began the other night when I was laying on the window sill in the owner’s bedroom. It was so nice lying there on the towel…..â€
“Why is there a towel in the window anyway?†Annie questioned.
“Annie, please use your manners and save any questions you have until Murphy is finished.â€
“Sorry TC.â€
“I was lying there with my back leg hanging over the edge, almost a sleep when I heard a noise outside. I hear noises outside every night. I didn’t pay any attention until…………..
I fell off the window sill onto the floor in fright. Something was right outside the window and I had no idea what it was. Now, all of you have to swear that the rest of what happened never leaves this barn. Do I have your word?â€
Everyone nodded their head. Annie pulled herself closer to TC as Murphy continued……
“I took the towel with me when I fell but it landed on top of my head and I was sort of on my back. I shook it off and jumped to my feet as if nothing had happened. Well, you know what it’s like when you don’t want anyone to see. Waiting to see if I heard it again wasn’t what I wanted to do either so I kept low to the floor and started moving towards the door. I figured if I could peep through the living room curtains, I might be able to see whatever it was and it wouldn’t see me. As I approached the door something caught my eye. I spun around just like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs but there was nothing there. At this point I figured my imagination could have told me anything and I would have believed it. Adventure onward, I told myself, while taking another step forward and then……………………….
I was no longer low to the floor. Every hair on my body was standing straight up and on ALERT!!!!! My eyes were almost out of their sockets! Whatever this was …WAS IN THE HOUSE and it was between me and the wall. The only good thing - it wasn’t much bigger than me. There was nowhere to hide, so I started making these hissing and growling noises, puffed my tail to the size of a baseball bat and took a few jabs at it, hoping it would leave. There was no way it was leaving or backing down. High noon was here. The room wasn’t big enough for the two of us. One had to go and it wasn‘t going to be me! I planted my feet, ,raised my head and said, bring it on. I’m ready.†Suddenly, the light went on and there I was standing face to face with……………â€
Everyone was waiting to see what Murphy was going to say next but nothing came.
“Murphy, what was it?†asked Joseph.
Still no reply.
HELLOOOOOO!!!!! Annie shouted.
“MURPHY!!! You can’t take us this far and not tell us what it was you were face to face with.†Baby yelled.
“I still have your word do I?†asked Murphy.
“Yes, you do. I promise. Now can you tell us what it was.†Joseph replied.
“I was looking at myself in the mirror.†Murphy said in a low voice.
“How could that be?†Annie asked.
“They put it there and I didn’t know. This is so embarrassing.â€
“It’s alright Murphy. Something did scare you outside, but whatever it was outside wasn’t in the house like you thought. You said yourself that your imagination was working overtime.â€
“What TC said was right Murphy and it could have happened to any of us. We all have been scared at one time or another.â€
“I suppose you are right Baby.â€
“Can I ask a question now TC?â€
“Certainly Annie.â€
“I thought cats landed on their feet Murphy.â€
“Can’t believe everything you hear Annie.â€
“I hope by sharing with us Murphy that you will be able to not think about it so much. We have all been there.†TC said.
Just then, from down the hall, came a voice.
“Can we nest down for the night? We will be leaving early in the morningâ€
“Baby, they’re back.â€
“Who’s back Annie?â€
“The Geese. I don’t remember their names.â€
“OH NO!!!!!!â€
After Baby got acquainted once again with the geese, TC gave the go ahead to stay the night.
Havier was so taken in with all that was happening that he quietly gave Murphy a gentle push as he passed by. That was his way of saying not to be embarrassed over what had happened.
TC looked in on the Little Ones before going to sleep. Everyone was asleep, even Joseph, as the baby bird chirped quietly over his head.
　
Hi Everyone. We hope you enjoyed hearing about Murphy.
As an update - Joseph was part of the Windsor Spring Show and again came home with a ribbon. Each year he does better and better. You can check out Joseph and others by viewing the pictures on the Windsor Spring Heavy Horse Show website.
Stay safe this summer and remember we will be back after the summer with more stories.
Until then Happy Summer.
Baby, Joseph, Little Annie, TC, Havier and Murphy