THE UNKNOWN - Part 1

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on May 2013

The sound of the rain drops tapping on the roof gave Baby a warm feeling. It sounded like an orchestra rehearsing for a concert. Outside the rain-drenched pleasantness didn’t feel the same. Annie gave a big yawn as she came to join Baby. Joseph wasn’t awake yet.

“Now, Annie, what do you think?†asked Baby.
“About what?â€
“About the rain silly.â€
“It’s just rain making for a wet day.â€
“You don’t hear the beauty in how it sounds?â€
“Never thought about it that way but I did think the rain would have been enough to wake Joseph.â€
“A train could roll through here and he would still be sleeping.’
‘Wish I could do that but seeing where I am awake, I wonder what the day is going to bring besides the rain?â€
“Rain is a good thing Annie. The ground needs it and without the rain we have no hay.â€
“Did I hear someone say we have no hay!â€
“No, Joseph, we have hay. We were just talking about needing the rain.â€
?Oh! In that case there are no worries.†and back to bed he went.
Baby and Annie looked at one another.
“How can someone sleep as much as that?†Annie asked.
“I can.†replied Havier as he passed the door.
Just then the owners came in to get breakfast ready. The Little Ones were so hungry they didn’t take time to notice anything else until Annie looked out the door.
‘The sun is breaking through the rain clouds. Maybe we are going to have sun after all. I think I will go exploring and see if the worms are on top of the ground now the rain has stopped. Joseph are you coming?â€
“Annie.â€
“What Baby?â€
“Annie, he has gone back to bed.â€
“LAZY!!!!! “ Annie shouted as she ran towards the door. She didn’t get far when one of the owners stopped her.
“Let’s go for a walk Annie.†the owner said softly.
Annie started bouncing up and down because she loved the idea of going for walks. After her excitement was over she got her halter on and was ready to go.
“Too much noise for me to sleep so I might as well get up and see what all the fuss is about.â€
“No fuss Joseph. I am just going for a walk,,that’s all.â€
“Nice to see it is you and not me.†was Joseph’s response.
“Oh Joseph! You don’t know what you’rer are missing.â€
“Exercise!!!!†Joseph laughed as he headed to get some hay with Baby.
As Annie walked down the road she couldn’t help but think of what Baby was saying about the sound of the rain and how it compared to her walk.. The birds were the only other noise to be heard. It certainly was peaceful. Just then, instead of going down the road, the owner turned into the driveway.
“Oh! I am going to get a treat I think.†Annie thought as she approached the house. She saw the back of the trailer was open.
“I guess I am going to be working for a bit after all, practicing getting on and off the trailer safely.â€
Annie started to pick at some blades of grass when she noticed her owner was putting the harness bag into the truck. At this point, Annie was starting to wonder what was really going on. Moments later she heard. â€I guess we are ready.â€
“What are we ready for?†Annie asked before she realized that no one could hear her.
Moments later she was on the trailer and the door started to close. Her eyes got wider and her legs started to shake. All she could think of was she was the one that was going away and no one knew about it. That is why she was loaded on the trailer at the house so no one would know!!

Meanwhile at the barn:
Joseph and Baby had come in for a drink.
“Annie seems to be gone a long time.†Joseph said.
“Oh, you know how our owner stops to talk or thinks we need to watch the cars go by at the store. I imagine that is what they are doing.â€
“Oh, that is so boring standing there watching the cars go by but I guess you’re right Baby†Joseph answered as he went back to drinking.

At the house:
Annie was starting to panic as the door shut. She started jumping up and down but it didn’t change anything. She was going somewhere and all she could think about was she didn’t get a chance to say good-bye.

At the barn:
Baby noticed that Joseph was looking more and more down the road to see if he could see Annie coming home.
“Baby I don’t see them coming back.â€
“They shouldn’t be too much longer Joseph.†Baby replied but thinking they usually aren’t gone this long.
By this time the truck and trailer had quietly pulled out of the driveway. Annie wanted to bray so the others would know where she was. She tried and tried but nothing would come out. For the first time she felt so all alone as the trailer continued down the road.

Meanwhile at the barn:
“Baby, I don’t care what you say. This doesn’t feel right. I have to talk to TC and see if she knows.â€
“Wait. I am going with you Joseph.â€
“What is wrong Little Ones? Where is Annie? Why isn’t she with you?†TC asked as she could see the worried looks on their faces.
“That is just it what we don’t know TC. She went for a walk with our owner.â€
“They must have ran into someone and stopped for a chat.â€
“I really hope they return soon.†Joseph answered..

Back at the trailer:
Annie had settled down as she knew there was nothing she could do but roll on down the road. Even the smells were starting to change. There were sounds she could hear from other animals that weren’t familiar to her as well. Annie knew she was getting further and further from where she called home. Tears started forming in her eyes.

At the barn:
No matter what Baby did to cheer up Joseph , it didn’t work. Baby tried to put on a good front for Joseph but as time passed it was starting to wear thin. He too was worried about Annie. Baby turned to see if Joseph wanted some hay but he wasn’t there. Joseph had gone back to the corner of the field where he could see down the road. Baby couldn’t leave him alone so he slowly walked over to where Joseph was and stood beside him and together they waited for Annie to come home.

On the road:
Annie looked at her hay hanging in a bag and for the first time she couldn’t eat. Then suddenly the truck came to a stop. The door opened……………..
To be continued next month.

At that time you will find out the ending of our story. Until then stay safe and be kind to others.
Baby, Joseph, TC. Havier and Little Annie
Just a reminder about our new project this year. If you know someone who is having a birthday, hasn’t been feeling well or feeling alone, etc. and you want to brighten their day, send along a card from us. We certainly would love to send one out to them. Just drop a note with the person’s name, mailing address and the
occasion for wanting it sent to
Storiesfromthebarn2@gmail.com