STORIES FROM THE BARN - MOVING IN

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on September 2013

The sun had just dropped beneath the horizon. Annie was still in a playful mood as she always is when people come to visit these days. It had been a busy day, especially for Joseph as he gave the kids cart rides around the field.
“What a day this has been.†Annie yelled as she came running into the barn.
“All you did was bat your eyes and look pretty.†Joseph answered.
“Isn’t that my job, Joseph, being a girl? Besides, I don’t have my cart license yet like you do.†replied Annie.
“You’re right about the cart license but wait – let me just say this – I am what you will become.â€
Annie looked puzzled for a few minutes and Joseph knew she was thinking real hard about what he had said.
“Oh! I get it. Getting older, slow getting up and avoiding water as much as possible. Is that what you meant?â€
Joseph stopped his mouth from opening as Annie had turned the tables on him. For a minute had to think.
“That wasn’t quite what I was thinking.â€
“That goes to show you that a statement sometimes can be taken more than one way.†Annie answered with a smile on her face.
“Listening to you both I have a question. Did you have something to eat that we didn’t that helped you think of
such a good answer? Joseph, all I have to say is that you have just been roasted by Annie.†said Baby.
“Keep giving me answers like that Joseph and by the time I am like you I will be so smart.â€
“I think I will just say job well done Annie, lick my wounds and get a drink.†Joseph answered walking away shaking his head.
Baby stood as he watched Joseph as he passed through the door thinking this had the makings of a very interesting battle of the wits.
The evening passed quickly and before the Little Ones knew it morning had arrived. As Baby was eating his breakfast, Annie came and stood beside him.
“Me and my brain have been busy before the birds started singing this morning.†Annie whispered.
“What could have possibly had you up so early Annie?â€
“Planning my next wit attack on Joseph.â€
“I should have known, but remember Annie, it is just in fun.†Baby replied.
“I do Baby and I also know that if you can’t play with the big ones then don’t get off the step.â€
“Annie, do you have any idea what that means?â€
“I think I do Baby. If you play a fun joke on someone and they decide to play one on you but you don’t like it when it happens you should have stayed on the step in the first place. You can’t always do something to someone else in fun and not want them to do something in fun back to you. Is that right Baby?â€
“I’m impressed Annie.â€
“Gee thanks.†Annie answered as she rubbed the side of Baby’s head.
As afternoon approached the Little Ones decided that a game of tag would be a good way to pass the day.
“Joseph, stop rattling the bushes to distract me so you can make me it†yelled Annie.
“That’s not me Annie. Maybe it was Baby.â€
“Baby!â€
“Sorry Annie, it has to be something else because it wasn’t me.â€
“Ok. I am going to have my eyes on both of you.â€
Annie had positioned herself at the right angle to tag Joseph as he ran by when…………
“Ok, I know it was you Joseph because the bushes were rattling again. If you think you are going to put me off my game it is not going to work.â€
Joseph stopped for a minute and listened to hear if there was something in the bushes or Annie was using it to win.
“I didn’t hear anything. Did you Baby? Joseph asked.
“No I didn’t Joseph.â€
“Hello!!!!!!!!! We are talking about the movement of the bushes NOT sound!†Annie shouted.
“I know that Annie but, if there is something in the bushes there will be sound too.â€
“Oh, I guess you are right.†Annie answered as she perked up her ears to listen.
After a few minutes the Little Ones decided that whatever was in the bushes had gone and continued with their game
of tag. Moments later they heard their names being called. This meant it was time to make their way home for supper and sleep.
The next morning everyone was up early except for Joseph. Well, that’s not much of a surprise seeing where he likes to sleep. When he did appear the look on his face could stop a clock.
“Joseph, what is the matter? Baby said thinking he wasn’t feeling well.
“Oh, I suppose you are going to tell me that you didn’t hear that noise last night?â€
Annie and Baby looked at one another wondering what Joseph was talking about.
“I guess that is a no, you didn’t hear it.â€
“I slept all night.†Annie answered.
“What was the noise?’ asked Baby.
“I would get to sleep and then there was this noise.â€
“What did it sound like Joseph?â€
After giving it some serious thought…..
“Well I don’t know for sure. It was really a noise I hadn’t heard before.â€
“Was it like the time our owner hit his thumb with the hammer?†asked Baby.
“No it wasn’t, but didn’t he yell when that hammer came in contact with his thumb?†asked Joseph.
“Something I will never forget and whatever it was that he was muttering I couldn’t make it out.†replied Baby.
Annie had been thinking very hard about something when she………….
“I got an idea.â€
“Let’s hear what it is Annie.†said Baby.
A few minutes later the Little Ones went in search of TC and Havier.
“TC, we need to have permission to do something.â€
“What might that be Annie, but I will tell you if it is checking out the apple tree the answer is no.â€
“Oh no TC, that isn’t what it is! I was going to ask that one next week, but I guess now I will forget it. Joseph and Baby, one of you tell TC and Havier.†Annie said.
“What it is TC and Havier, apparently Joseph heard this noise in the barn last night and we want to know if we can stay up and check it out.†replied Baby.
“We can’t see anything wrong with a little adventure in the barn BUT if your adventure happens to take you outside, you have to get Havier and myself. Any questions?â€
“No, I think we got it and we will stay inside of the barn. Promise.â€
“Let us know how it goes.â€
“We will†was the answer as the Little Ones left in a hurry.
“TC, do you really think it is safe?â€
“They will be just fine Havier.â€
“With the way you answered I have the feeling you know more than you are saying.
TC smiled as she walked away.
For the Little Ones this was the longest day of their lives. All day they had been planning for their big adventure.
“We need a check list to make sure we are ready.â€
“Annie, why do we need that? All we are taking is our eyes, noses and ears.â€
“Great! And what are we going to do? Fly?â€
“No, and why would we want to do that?†answered Joseph.
“Then you should have included feet too. Gotcha Joseph!â€
“ANNIE!!!!â€
“Two to zero.†Baby said as he laughed.
Finally evening came………
“We are going to start our adventure now TC.â€
“Ok Little Ones, remember, stay inside of the barn.â€
We will they shouted back as they disappeared to the other side of the barn.
Ears stretched as high as they could go, noses picking every
smell, eyes as big as buttons and feet that were poised to run in a heartbeat.
As time passed the idea of no one being able to speak was the hardest thing for Annie. Baby, it really didn’t bother if he talked or not. As for Joseph, he was enjoying every minute of the silence. Then……………………
“Did you hear that?†Annie whispered.
Baby and Joseph both shook their heads and started walking in the direction of the tack room with Annie seconds behind. Suddenly they stopped, pointing towards the hay bale.
“I thought we were going in. Why are we huddled behind the hay bale?†asked Annie.
“We have to get a plan together because there is only one way out and besides we have no idea what we are going to face. If that noise last night was a clue, it is big.†Joseph whispered.
Minutes later the plan was in effect.
“We got it. I will go first, Baby second and you, Annie, in the rear if we need to get help.†Joseph answered with the others nodding in agreement.
Just as they got close to the tack room…………………………..

Hi Everyone, Well, we guess this means that summer is coming to a close, school is going to be starting soon and we are back telling our stories. We have had an exciting summer and we be telling you about it throughout the months ahead. Plus a new group of photos will be coming soon to the website. What better way to start the season than by keeping you guessing. Any ideas on what we find? Next month the conclusion to our story. Labour day week-end is coming soon. Have fun but stay safe.
Baby, Joseph, TC, Havier and Little Annie