STORIES FROM THE BARN

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on February 2013

WHO IS THAT?
The silence of the night was broken by a hoot from an owl out looking around. Baby couldn’t understand why he was having such a hard time sleeping.
“ Wow! This is really queer. My eyelids are closed but my eyeballs are as big as golf balls.†Baby thought to himself as he looked over at Annie and Joseph. Annie’s head was resting on Joseph’s back. He was having a dream which made her head go up and down from the movement of his legs.
“I wish I was having a dream like Joseph.†Baby mumbled under his breath.
“Did I hear you say something, Baby?†a voice whispered.
“Oh! TC where did you come from? I thought I was the only one awake.â€
“Come Baby, let’s go over here so the other Little Ones can sleep.â€
“Ok TC, you lead and I will follow.â€
After getting comfortable beside the bale of hay, Baby looked at TC
“Why are you awake TC? I get golf balls for eyes when my eyelids close.â€
“I just couldn’t sleep either Baby.â€
“What is wrong TC that you can’t sleep?â€
“You know, just one of those things.â€
“I bet I know what it is.â€
“Now, how would you know Baby?â€
“Simple. You need someone your own size to talk to and hang out with under the big tree. We are family, but when it comes right down to it TC, us Little Ones are good company but you need a big horse too. Wish our owners could hear me because I would tell them that you need some big company.†Baby replied as he reached over and laid his head on TC.
“For being a Little One Baby you have a lot of wisdom.â€
“Thanks TC. That means a lot to me. Now, am I right?â€
“Yes, in one way you are Baby. After Scout left it hasn’t been the same in a lot of ways. As you know, we used to spend a lot of time under the big tree and when something would happen with the three of you, I had someone to talk to about it.†TC answered in a low voice.
“I understand TC. I really do. When Annie does something, I have Joseph to talk to. You know you can always come to me TC, and talk.â€
“What if I wish to talk about something you Little Ones had done Baby?â€
“Ouch. I didn’t think about that one TC. That would be kind of difficult wouldn’t it.†Baby answered smiling to himself
“Thanks for being awake Baby.â€
“You too TC.â€
Just then ,the quiet outside of the barn was interrupted with a rumbling sound in the distance.
“What can that be TC?â€
“Not sure Baby, but whatever it is seems to be getting closer. We should investigate.â€
As they approached the barn doors they could see bright lights in the distance.
“Can you make out what it maight be TC?
“Not really. It is still too far away.â€
“Is it coming in our direction?â€
“Sort of looks that way right now. Wait!!!! It is not moving anymore.â€
“OH! OH! We better get out of here, there are bright lights now in the other direction as well. See them TC!!!! Maybe the aliens are coming to get us!!!!!â€
“No Baby, that’s just a car coming up the road.â€
“That’s not just a car TC, that is our owner’s car. Oh, I hope nothing is wrong!!!†Baby said as he followed the lights until they disappeared over the hill.
TC didn’t want to alarm Baby, but it was a funny time for the owners to be going somewhere.
“I don’t imagine it’s too serious Baby.â€
“BUT TC they have gone in the direction of the other lights that may belong to the ALIENS!!!!!â€
“If we had a TV in the barn Baby, I would say that you were watching too much of the space channel.â€
“TC!!!!â€
Just then the lights started moving and were getting closer to the barn.
“Oh TC, I just know that they are coming to take us away.â€
“Baby, it is all right. I don’t think it is the aliens. I am pretty sure it is some sort of a car or truck.â€
“Maybe it is the one across the road that brings the big truck and trailer home once in a while. You know, TC, the one that makes so much noise when it stops.â€
“Now you may have a point there Baby. I bet that is just who it is.â€
“That doesn’t explain where our owners went though!â€
“Sometimes humans do things that are out of their routine and just maybe that is what is happening now. I see two sets of lights coming. I bet the other one is our owner’s coming backâ€
As the lights got closer, getting a toothpick between TC and Baby was proving to be an impossible task, they were that close.
“You were right Baby, it is the man across the road coming home.â€
Just then, instead of the big truck and trailer turning into his driveway, it stopped right in front of the barn. Next came the airbrakes. With the truck so close it woke Annie and Joseph.
“Joseph!! Joseph! Wake up !!! We are being attacked. Did you hear that NOISE!?â€
Before Joseph had a chance to speak………
“BABY IS GONE!!!!!! Joseph, do you hear me? They got Baby!!!
Joseph looked around and sure enough there was no sign of Baby anywhere.
“Come on Annie, we better get TC. This is too big for us.â€
Within seconds they were running towards TC’s bed but to their surprise……..
“TC IS GONE TOO!!!! Annie yelled at the top of her lungs. We are in big trouble, Joseph!!!â€
“Hope your legs are good for running fast Annie because I’m out of here.â€
As they started running, Annie wanted to know where they
were going but at that point Joseph had no idea, only that it wasn’t going to be here. Before they got too far………….
“What is the matter Little Ones?†TC asked as they ran into her.
The Little Ones were talking so fast that TC could only caught a word here and there.
“Baby is here with me and we are all safe.â€
“But what is going on TC?â€
“We are not sure yet Annie but I do know that we
are alright.â€
“Okay TC I believe you. Joseph, I am staying here,
are you?â€
“Yep.â€
Just then, Joseph noticed this funny look on Baby’s
face. He had his nose extended in the air.
“What is the matter?â€
“Sniff the air Joseph and see what you come up with.
I don’t think we are alone.†Baby whispered.
“What do you mean NOT ALONE!! I KNEW IT, I
JUST KNEW IT!!!!†Annie yelled.
“LISTEN! everyone for just one minute and tell me
what you hear.†Baby asked.
“I think I hear something like hay being eatenâ€
Annie added.
“I think I smell something like an animal and it is not
me.â€
“I do as well Joseph. I think it is coming off that
trailer.†said Annie.
“I hear talking now, as well.†TC added to the
conversation.
Within seconds the lights went on ……… All eyes were
on the trailer and not a word was being spoken. Four
sets of ears were filling the windows.
“What on EARTH!!!!†was all Baby could say.
“Very interesting, to say the least.†was TC’s remark.
Annie and Joseph were just relieved that no one
was coming to get them.
“I need to get the wax out of my ears so I can hear
better.†said Joseph.
“What is it that you are hearing?†asked Annie.
“Well, it sounds like our owner is talking money.â€
“Money for what?â€
“I would guess Annie, that it could be for one or
more of those sets of ears on the trailer.†TC replied.
Once again all eyes were directed towards the trailer.
“I thought your eyes were like golf balls when you
couldn’t sleep? They are nothing compared to what
I am looking at now Baby.†TC laughed.
“Oh, I know TC, I am just excited. All those sets
of ears and there is one set that is HUGE! Do you suppose
we are getting a new member to our family ?â€
“I don’t know about a new member but I do know
that there is ONE HUGE SET OF EARS for sure.â€
Joseph shouted.
“That wasn’t very nice Joseph. You interrupted TC.â€
Annie added.
“Sorry TC. I just got carried away with those ears
in the middle window.â€
“Yes Joseph, I saw those ears and Baby it could be
someone coming to our barn.â€
“If that is the case I would like to go on the trailer and check things out.â€
“Oh Annie, only you would think of something like that.†added Baby with a smile.
“It has to be a donkey thing because I want to do the same thing. I want to see what is behind those huge ears.â€
“By the looks of it, our wonderment is about to be answered.†TC said as the door started opening.
One of the owners had run ahead making sure that the lights were on in the barn. Next came the sound of hooves coming off the trailer and sure enough, the middle window where the big ears were, was empty. Around the corner of the
trailer came……….
“OH MY LANTAH!!!!!! Annie shouted.
“What does that mean?†asked Joseph.
“I don’t know, but you know the young lady who comes to visit who is so much a girly-girly, well she says it all the time and I’m a girly-girly too. I think you have a†lantah†moment when you are surprised at something. I say that because when she saw me walking like I had high heels on, that is what she said.â€
“Oh, I hope whatever comes is not another girl!!!!â€
“Me too Joseph†Baby answered.
You could hear a pin drop as the owner came into view…….
All eyes were on them as they entered the barn. It was like a mini stampede with everyone trying to get through the barn doors all at the same time. No one was really sure, as they took a look. Everyone wanted to ask but didn’t know how.
When all else fails there is Annie……
“Who are you and why do you look like that?†asked Annie.
“You will have to excuse Annie, she is still………..â€
“I know, still learning. Sorry if I hurt your feelings by asking you what you were.†Annie replied.
“I am TC and may I introduce you to the rest….this is Baby, Joseph is to my right, and, of course, you have met Annie. Welcome to our home.â€
“Thank you for your welcome, TC. I am Havier.â€
Annie stood back checking Havier out from top to bottom.
“TC, can I ask Havier now what he is?â€
Both Joseph and Baby shook their heads as well.
“Would you mind Havier?â€
“Certainly not TC. I am a mule.â€
The Little Ones looked at each other.
“I am still totally confused. I am looking at you and your body looks like TC’s but your face looks like Joseph’s and Annie’s.â€
“You see Baby, my mom is a horse while my dad is a donkey. So when you have a mom and dad like that the babies are mules like me. I will add that I have never seen donkeys and a horse as small as you are either.â€
“Oh my lantah!†Annie remarked.
“What was that Annie?â€
“Annie has just learned a new phrase to add to
her vocabulary. That is all Havier.â€
“Oh I see.â€
“Are you a girl?â€
“No Annie, I am a boy.â€
“We just had our own lantah moment ourselves Baby.â€
Joseph laughed when he heard Havier was male.
“Where are you from?†asked Joseph.
“Ontario.â€
“Where is that?â€
“It is a long way from here Annie. Maybe we better
let Havier rest. He did have a long trip.â€
“Did the man from across the road bring you here?â€
asked Baby.
“I don’t know the man across the road but the man
that did bring us to our new home was very nice and
knew what we needed to be comfortable.â€
“No Annie, I thought it was the man across the road
but it wasn’t.†Baby replied.
As the Little Ones and TC left Havier to rest, there
Were so many more things that they wanted to know
about him.
What a day it had been. The sun wasn’t up when
Havier arrived. Everyone was tired from being up so long.
As TC and Havier said good night to the Little ones,
Baby looked at TC……..
“Now you have someone your size, TC, to hang out
with under the big tree. I am glad, Havier, you are big
instead of being little. TC needed company besides
us. Welcome home Havier.
“Thank you Baby, for such nice words.â€
“Havier, can you bray for me before I go to sleep?â€
asked Annie.
“Oh, I have a problem with that, being a mule.â€
“Are you saying you can’t bray?†Joseph replied
before letting out a bray for Havier.
Havier opened his mouth and this low squeak came
out.
“Annie, I’m afraid we are going to have to assist him
with a lesson in braying 101.†Joseph added as everyone laughed.
Just then Murphy came flying through the window.
“What’s up Murphy?†asked Joseph.
“Have I got something to tell you.â€â€¦â€¦â€¦. he stopped.
“Oh! Company I see.â€
“No, this is Havier and he has come to live with
us Murphy.†TC answered.
“Oh nice to meet you,. Don’t forget to tell him TC,
I use the hay bale over there by his bed to jump up in
the loft to sleep.†Murphy added as he jumped back
through the window. “What were you going to tell us?â€
“Tell you all later. Good Night everyone. The door at the house is closing and I need to get in………………
“ Havier, those huge ears you have…….â€
GOOD NIGHT ANNIE!!!!!!
　
Hello Everyone. What an adventure it has been for us with the arrival of Havier and he will be a part of our stories from now on. We learned a lot about how different we all are but still the same.
We think you may have some idea what our next story might be about……until then.
School is coming to a close in a few weeks. We all look forward to the warm weather but we have to remember to stay safe in whatever it is that we do.
Until next time
Baby, Joseph, Little Annie, TC and Havier　

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