STORIES FROM THE BARN - NEIGHBOURS

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on February 2013

Daylight was having a hard time taking over from the night as it pushed forward. On top of that, the mist had turned into rain. It certainly had the makings of a day indoors.
Annie gave a big yawn as she rubbed her eyes. Her body was waking up but not her mind. It wanted to stay curled up in the nice warm hay.
Baby quietly walked over to Annie checking to see how awake she was. In doing so he rubbed his nose against her face.
“Oh Baby, you’re cold!â€
“It’s raining outside, not a very nice morning.â€
“Then in that case I am staying put.†added Joseph.
“Good morning Little Ones. Our owners must have something that needs their attention this morning. Our breakfast is ready.â€
On her way to eat Annie peeped out the door to check on the weather.
“TC, I don’t think I’ll go out to play today.â€
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least. You don’t like getting your feet wet.†Baby laughed as he went for a drink.
“Joseph, keep your teeth shut if you don’t like any part of your body wet!â€
“I think I will just do as you said and shut my teeth.â€
“Sometimes donkeys can be just that! Donkeys.†Baby added smiling.
“What are we going to do?†asked Annie.
“I have the answer, let’s make this story day. How does that sound?†asked TC.
“That’s great! We haven’t had one for a long time.†Joseph added.
“I have a story TC!†Annie shouted.
“First we have to gather in a circle.â€
“One thing is missing.â€
“What is that Annie?†asked TC.
“We are usually under the big tree telling our stories.â€
“I can fix that.â€
“How Joseph?â€
“Well Annie, there is a stick over there and I can put it on top of the ball of hay and we can pretend that we are under the big tree.â€
“Are you serious Joseph?†Annie wanted to know.
“You should know I am not serious. Can Ostriches fly?â€
“What is an ostrich Baby?â€
“Joseph!â€
“Hey! That’s my job. To get things going.†Joseph laughed.
“Okay Little Ones, who would like to tell the first story?â€
“TC, this one includes all of us - well me, Joseph and Annie. Can I tell this one?†asked Baby.
“Well, if it is all right with the others.â€
“Sure. Go for it Baby.â€

Our Neighbour’s Children
“On this day, the rain had stopped and out came the sun. We had decided to explore the field looking for that sweet grass that comes out after the rain. We had seen earlier that our neighbour’s children were playing in their field as well. When Annie got tired of eating and wanted to play with the butterflies, Joseph and I decided to go and see the children.
Before we reached the fence we could see them running up and down the hill playing tag. It looked as if the boy, Joey, was running down the hill as fast as he could so his sister couldn’t catch him when suddenly he came to a quick stop. All we heard was “you’re it!†from his sister as she tagged him and ran up the hill and out of sight. Joey looked down at the ground but didn’t move. We were wondering why he didn’t run after her.
A few minutes later Annie had come back asking the same question. We had no idea why only that he was still standing in the same place. Suddenly, the air filled with HELP!!!!! Our thoughts were all the same - -go and see what was wrong. Before we got to Joey, he started yelling again for his sister but she was nowhere in sight. Then we knew something was wrong but what!?!? He looked fine only that he wasn’t moving. When he did there was a problem keeping his balance. Joseph, being the tallest, stretched out his neck to take a better look. Still nothing. We knew something had to be done to get his sister to come back. What else than make as much noise as we could.
A few minutes later a figure was seen coming over the horizon. We started running so the man would come our way and help Joey. Annie made the most noise as her voice was the highest. As it turned out it was Joey’s father. He walked up to Joey, put his hands under Joey’s arm and pulled him up in the air, leaving behind his boots. Then we saw Joey’s sister at the top of the hill as her father shouted something to her. We knew he was in trouble for playing there but we also knew we had done our job as we heard the father say that if he hadn’t heard the noise and come to see what was wrong, he wouldn’t have found Joey.
It was funny watching Joey’s father carrying the wet boots, Joey’s sister running towards them with dry shoes and Joey trying not to get cut on the sharp blades of grass as he walked toward his sister.
“Little Ones, you see that it is not only you that can get into trouble by being someplace you’re supposed to be.â€
“I wonder if Joey got grounded when he got home?†asked Baby
“We would have for sure. Right TC?â€
“Something would have been done, I know.â€
“Can I go next please TC?†Annie asked.
“Let’s hear your story.â€â€

The Carrot
“You know when our owner takes me for a walk to polish up my manners and things? Usually, on the way back, our neighbours across the street always wants us to stop for a visit. Oh his wife is so in love with me! If I had those baby cheeks like babies have she would be squeezing them. Instead, she scratches me under the chin. You know those places that you need to rub against a post to get? Just before we leave she runs in the house to get a carrot. When she returns, Lucy the dog is with her. We greet each other nose to nose. I like Lucy plus we have this mutual understanding seeing where most of the time donkeys don’t like dogs.
Lucy is quiet and we respect each other’s space. Well, that is until she sees I am getting a carrot. Then she wants in on the action too. The neighbour will hold the carrot for me to take a bite and Lucy gets her bite from the other end. When the carrot is gone, Lucy returns to the house, not eating another carrot until I return the next time. The bottom line is that she really doesn’t like them. Lucy is funny at times. That’s my story.â€â€

“So that is where the carrots come from in our feed bowls sometimes.†Joseph added.
“Yes, our neighbours don’t want to give only me a treat so they send some home with our owners.â€
“That is the right thing to do because if you don’t have enough for everyone, you don’t give any.â€
“Now who else wants to tell a story?â€
“I would if you don’t mind†replied Havier.
“The floor is yours Havier.†TC said.

Our Owner
“Oh!! This is my first chance to tell a story. It is not about one of our neighbours, but our owner. Like you Annie, our owner was working on my riding skills. It started off with him giving me a good grooming. He certainly made sure that there was no dirt under my saddle to cause me discomfort while he rode. Finally we were ready to go. Well, that is what I thought. He opened the door and took a step outside. Being as well-mannered as I am, I followed then------it was the tone of his voice which led me to think something was wrong and then I looked down and there was one foot stuck in the mud, his second shoe full of water, then a skid mark where his socked foot kept going in the mud, finally coming to rest in another pool of water! He looked at me and I looked back. I knew then that this wasn’t the place I wanted to be. I said to myself, “ you’re a good owner but you’re on your own with this one!†Off I ran, saddle and all, to where TC was grazing in the field. She looked at me as if to say, “what in the world are you doing here tacked for riding?†I proceeded to tell her what happened and then, feeling sorry for our owner trying to get one foot after the other out of the mud, I went back so he could hold onto the saddle to reach drier ground. The bottom line was that somewhere along the way he forgot to put his boots on. Shoes just weren’t going to cut it in all that mud.â€

“Would it be disrespectful to laugh TC.? asked Annie.
“I don’t think so Annie because our owner wasn’t hurt. Well, maybe his pride and it has already happened. Now, at the time it happened, it wouldn’t have been nice. Havier you did the proper thing by going back and lending a hand in the end. You never leave someone in trouble when you can help.â€

“Are there any other stories?

“Yep! I have one but it is short. No one told me about the frost the other morning when I left the house. When the owner opened the door I was gone in a flash until I felt that cold icy feeling on my paws. It woke me up in a hurry.†That’s it for me.â€

“What did you do Murphy when you felt the cold?†asked Joseph
“Turned around and ran back inside. That was my adventure for the day.†Murphy added as he squeezed through the opening in the door.
Joseph happened to look out and saw the sun peeping through the clouds.
“The rain has stopped and I think I will check out that sweet grass. Any takers?â€
“Is it alright to leave now TC and Havier? The grass is calling.â€
“Have fun Little Ones.â€

As evening approached everyone was ready for supper and a nice sleep.
“Story time was fun today and I really enjoyed it.†Joseph whispered.
“Why was that?’ asked Baby.
“All I had to do was listen. Just my style.â€
“Murphy, what are you doing here? You were going to the house.â€
“That’s what I thought too Annie but I guess I am bunking in here for the night. The door is locked. They must have thought I was in the closet.â€
“Lots of room for one more.†Baby replied.
“Do you snore Murphy, because if you don’t then you can sleep here with me.â€
“ANNIE!â€
“WHAT! I was just asking!â€
“Good Night Little Ones and Murphy.â€
“Good night TC and Havier.â€

Hi Everyone. Well that is our story for this time. If you read our story then you will know what it was we learned this time. Next time our story will be “Away From Home†See you all then and in the meantime Stay Safe.

Baby, Joseph,TC, Havier Annie and Murphy