STORIES FROM THE BARN - A LESSON IN LEARNING

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on February 2013

The leaves had started to turn from green leaves to a palette of many different shades on the mountain. That meant two things - fall was approaching and it was Exhibition time. The preparations have been well underway for a couple of days now. Joseph was both excited and sad at the same time because he was going alone, once again.
“I will be glad when I get old enough to go.†said Annie.
“I would just like to go one more time.†added Baby.
“Well, you could Baby, you can be there with Joseph and not show.â€
“No, Annie, it has nothing to do with showing but with the dust and my asthma.
“Oh! I kind of forgot about that.†Annie replied.
“Now that surprises me.â€
“Girls are allowed to forget once in a while Baby.â€
“Oh Annie!â€
Joseph was ready to board the trailer when he heard…
“Do your best Joseph, that’s what it’s all about. Doing the best you can. Say hi to my brother when you see him.†Baby added with a sad face. He was wishing he could deliver the message himself.
Havier wasn't really sure where Joseph was going but he wished him well along with the others.
As the trailer left the yard, all that could be seen was Joseph’s big ears.
“There goes radar.†Baby shouted as he laughed.
“What does Radar mean?â€
“I’ll explain later Havier.†replied TC.

Life continued at the barn as it always does during Exhibition. TC took the time to explain to Havier what the Exhibition was all about and what radar meant. As usual, Baby and Annie were getting into whatever they could to pass the time. Before they knew it, the familiar sound of the truck could be heard coming in the distance. As they approached the barn, Joseph filled the air with his braying, letting everyone know that he was coming home. Annie started running towards the trailer even before the doors were open.
“Joseph! Joseph! I am so happy you are back. How was the Ex, did you win some ribbons? Did you see Baby’s brother? Did you miss me?â€
Just then TC came around the corner.
“Okay Little ones let’s give Joseph a chance to get off the trailer and later we will hear all about the Exhibition.†TC replied as she tried to give Joseph some space.

Baby and Annie stuck like glue to Joseph all afternoon,. They were so glad to have him home. After supper TC gathered everyone together to hear about Joseph’s adventure. She started out with asking Joseph how the new truck pulled the trailer.
“I remember the old days when Missy and I or Scout were on the trailer and it was like rock and roll.â€
“No, TC it was like riding on air. Best ride I have ever had in that trailer.†answered Joseph.
‘â€How did you do in the classes?†asked Baby.
“I wasn’t able to win a ribbon this time.â€
“But why?â€
Well Annie, the classes were big and being the only donkey it was kind of hard even though the judge did a great job. Remember minis believe in speed and we, as donkeys, only do what is needed. We did bring home some flowers and a picture frame to put my favourite picture in.
“That will be a picture of all of us right Joseph?â€
“Now I never thought about that Annie. That would be a great idea.â€
“Of course being a girl I have to be in the front and center.â€
Everyone broke into laughter at Annie. She is so much a girl.
I did hear that I wasn’t the only donkey at the Ex.
“What do you mean?’ asked Annie.
Well, in one of the other barns there were a lot of different animals - even snakes - and there was a Jenny who was going to have a baby.â€
“Oh Joseph how exciting is that!†yelled Annie.
“Did you get the same stall as last year Joseph?â€
“Oh, I certainly did TC and was able to see everything coming and going.â€
“Were the cows behind you this time?†Baby wanted to know.
“Not this year. I had sheep. If anyone tells you that sheep aren’t noisy, tell them to come and see me. They were complaining about everything…being brushed and cut so much, having to stand so much on those benches. They too wake up with the first light of day. Just like us. The only thing they didn’t complain about was getting a bath. I don’t think they did get a bath, now that I think about it. The thing I loved the most was the fact they couldn’t see over the boards like the cows could. I was able to take a nap not feeling someone breathing down my neck.â€
“Did you see my brother Robin?’
“No, Baby I didn’t. I heard someone say that he didn’t come this year.â€
“I wonder why? He missed the spring show but he always comes to the Exhibition.†Baby answered sadly.
“Over all, Joseph, how do you feel you did?â€
“On a personal note TC, I did really well. I was able to almost keep up with the others trotting and, guess what? I backed up this time. The judge was nice so I thought,†what the heck? Give it a shot.†It felt really good after I did it. As I said before, I didn’t bring home any ribbons but I was the people’s choice and that meant a lot.â€
“It does to us too Joseph. Does that mean you are like a star?â€
“Annie!!!!â€
“Well, how else am I going to learn to ask questions!â€
“Were there a lot of people?†asked Baby.
“There were times that I was overwhelmed with all the people who came to see us. It’s like some of them understand us while others don’t. I know that they get excited, especially if they don’t see us on a daily basis.â€
“What did you mean by that Joseph?â€
“It is like this Annie,. If someone puts something near your mouth, you automatically think it is something to eat, don’t you?â€
“Well, yes I would.†answered Annie.
“That is exactly what happens to someone when they put their hand too close to one of the horse’s mouthsâ€
“Were they alright?â€
“I think so. We didn’t hear anything else.â€
“Is that why our owners put all my food in my bowl?â€
“Stands to reason Annie.â€
“We have to get our owner to make some signs.â€
“How are we going to do that when they can’t hear us?â€
“We have all winter to figure out something Baby.†replied TC
Another thing that happened is that both children and parents stand too close to our feet. We can’t see where our feet are going to step and sometimes they end up being stepped upon. That happened this time too and all I heard was ……OUCHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!.â€
“Remember the time I accidentally stepped on our owner’s toes. And my hoofs are small! Oh what a big bruise they had.†Baby said.
“I think we all have done that at one point or another, but on purpose†said TC.
“Well, Annie and I have one up on the rest of you. Being donkeys, we can see all four of our feet at once but that doesn’t mean we don’t still make mistakes.
“You mean I can see where all four of my feet are!â€
“Yes, Annie. Just give it a try. Our eyes are positioned in such a way that we can see a lot.â€
“Oh Joseph this is really cooooooool.â€
“Another way we are different. If someone did give us food from the hand, we take it differently than horses would. We take it sideways because of the way our mouth is shaped.â€
“I have one.†Annie yelled as she jumped up and down.
“Let’s hear yours Annie.†said TC.
“Some of us might not be able to see where our feet are and there are times we can’t always see where people are when they walk around us. That is why they should place their hand on our backs. That way we can feel them and know they are there.†answered Joseph.
“Yes, and sometimes they stand way too close when we are moving around being hooked up to our carts. The bigger we are, the more room we need but just because we look small, we still need a lot of space too.†added Baby.
“Oh, there is something very important that we have forgotten.â€
“Oh Havier , it is nice that you have something to add as well.†TC answered
“Well, thank you. I haven’t been to the Exhibition therefore I can’t comment too much but this is for anywhere really. People shouldn’t give us anything to eat without first asking our owners if it is alright.â€
“That is a good one Havier. We can’t eat just anything. Some things will make us sick. ie… green apples. We know they mean well but they should still ask.â€
“Is that why the family under the hill leaves the apples on the door for the owner to get?â€
“Then there are some of us that won’t take anything except grain and hay.â€
“If you don’t like the way it smells or looks, just say you don’t want any part of it. Right Baby?â€
All Baby could do was smile because he knew Joseph was right.
“No one should enter a barn or our stalls at shows without asking first. It has been known that we have found ways to get into places where we shouldn’t. If someone just opens the doors we could end up getting out.†replied Baby.
“What can we do to get the point across?†asked Havier.
“Well, don’t take anything, no matter how good it looks, from their hands.. Gently bump them with your hips if they are too close. The Exhibitions are over for the season and we will have all winter to figure out how to get these points out there.†added TC.
No one had noticed how fast the time had passed. Joseph was sitting looking at the floor when TC had noticed his mood changed. As TC made her way over to him, he looked up.
“TC I need your help………….TO BE CONTINUED

Hi everyone We hope you enjoyed reading about Joseph’s adventure and the things that we would like everyone who comes to see us be aware of when you are around .
As you can see, our story is continued. Hope to see you next time to read “Time to Rememberâ€.
Before we go we have to let you know that there was a baby donkey born at the Exhibition.

Baby, Joseph, Little Annie,
TC, Havier and Murphy