The Parade
Written by Leona NielsenPublished on February 2013
As the day was coming to an end, everyone in the barn was settling in for a night of sleep.
“Remember what we told you about tomorrow little ones” shouted TC from the other side of the barn.
“We’ll try TC, but it is still scary going somewhere you haven’t been before,” replied Baby.
“Don’t worry. You will be alright.” answered TC.
“There’s always a first time for everything” added Scout as he was getting ready for sleep.
“But Scout.”
“Yes, Baby.”
“Joseph and I have just had our bath and I’m not dry. Will I be dry by the morning?” asked Baby.
“You will dry and be shiny when morning comes.” answered Scout, smiling to himself.
Joseph was standing in the corner of his stall not saying a word. Everyone knew how he felt about having a bath.
“I want to stay wet and stay home tomorrow.” mumbled Joseph.
“Good night little ones, you have a busy day tomorrow.” Missy reminded them.
“I guess that means us.” Baby whispered to Joseph as they settled into their favourite spot to sleep.
“Good Night everyone” echoed through the barn.
Just as the sun started peeping through the clouds, Baby’s eyes opened with excitement.
“Joseph, open your eyes. Morning is here.” Baby said to Joseph as he checked out his body. Sure enough, it was dry and shiny just like Scout had said.
As Baby looked over at Joseph to see if he was awake, he noticed that he was covered in woodchips.
“JOSEPH! Why did you do that?” Baby shouted.
Scout didn’t say a word, as he knew what Joseph was doing. There wasn’t much Scout hadn’t tried when he was younger.
“If I look like this they will leave me home.” answered Joseph.
“JOSEPH! You would let me go alone? I wouldn’t do that to you.” Baby answered Joseph as he looked at him.
“Don’t worry, Baby, it will take more than a few woodchips for Joseph to stay home.” Scout answered. “Trust me, I know.
”The sound of the carts being loaded on the truck could be heard throughout the barn.
“Oh, my, we are going to leave without breakfast. I know we are. I just know it.” Baby said with an anxious tone to his voice.
“You will get breakfast, Baby.”
“Who said that?” asked Baby.
“I did, and have you ever gone without breakfast?” Missy asked.
“No, but are you sure Missy?” asked Baby.
“Yes, Baby, now settle down.” Missy said as she rolled her eyes thinking how nice to be young.
“Okay, Missy, I will try.” replied Baby.
Breakfast came a few minutes later, satisfying everyone.
As Baby and Joseph walked to the trailer they shouted to the others that they would be back soon. They were off on a new adventure.
“Can you see anything, Joseph?” Baby asked.
“Not really. Are you anxious to be getting there?” Joseph asked.
“Well, a bit.” said Baby.
“I was really wondering what they were thinking.” said Joseph.
“Who was thinking what?” Baby was puzzled.
“The people in the car behind us. They can’t see you.” replied Joseph.
“Are you calling me SHORT?” shouted Baby.
“No Baby, they can’t really see me either except for one thing…..my big long ears! Wouldn’t you wonder if you were in the car looking at these ears?” Joseph answered.
“Oh, would I ever.” Baby told Joseph.
As the truck started slowing down, Baby and Joseph inched closer to each other for support.
“I think we are here, Joseph.” said Baby.
“Yep, I think we have arrived.” answered Joseph.
The truck came to a stop but no one came to let them out. They could hear a lot of people talking but couldn’t see them.
“Oh, this can’t be good. They are taking too long letting us out, Joseph. Stretch your neck a little further and see if you can see what is going on.” asked Baby.
Joseph put his feet together and raised his neck to get a better view when the door opened.
“Oh, Joseph,” Baby whispered as his eyes got wider. “Where are we?” he asked.
“I know as much as you do Baby. We will have to wait and see.” answered Joseph.
“Wow!! Look at those big trucks Joseph. They are bigger than our mini barn.” said Baby.
“Well, I won’t go that far but I will say they are big.” replied Joseph.
“Joseph, there are two teenagers with our owners. I wonder what they are going to do?” Baby asked
“They are going to help out and the young lady is going to drive you. Her name is Little Bit or Tara Lynn. I’m not sure which and he is Scott.” replied Joseph.
“How do you know that?” Baby asked.“My big ears.” Joseph replied smiling.
They snacked on some hay. Their carts were decorated. It was now time for Baby to get ready. Joseph was keeping a close eye on the situation to make sure everything was used so it wouldn’t be used on him. No such luck. They had some for Baby.
"What’s wrong Joseph?” Baby asked as he watched Joseph turn his head away
“I look funny don’t I? Now, Joseph, tell me the truth.” Baby said in a voice that only Joseph could hear.
“Don’t worry Baby, you look cute.”
“Are you sure Joseph? You aren’t just saying that, are you?” asked Baby.
“No, Baby.”
Then it was Joseph’s turn and he wasn’t sure what was going to happen. Suddenly, he felt something around his ears.
“BABY! What’s happening?” Joseph shouted with a hint of panic in his voice.
“Oh, Joseph, it is just a hat.”
“Okay, just as long as it doesn’t have flowers on it.” Joseph answered.
“I have FLOWERS on me, Joseph.” shouted Baby.
“Yep and Little Big has a firefighter’s hat on too.“
“Why would she have that hat on?” Baby asked as he tried to see her.
“I think the firefighters have something to do with this. Well, that is what I heard Scott say.” Joseph replied.
“How do you know that?” asked Baby.
“My big ears.” Joseph answered with a grin.
They started walking around getting used to the new surroundings. They came upon another horse that was there for the first time as well and he was feeling the same as them.
“Joseph, look at all the people.” said Baby.
“WHAT?” Joseph shouted.
“All the people.” Baby repeated.
Joseph looked the other way, not answering Baby.
“Are you afraid Joseph? It is alright if you are.” Baby said.
“Okay, I am but don’t tell anyone.” Joseph said in a low voice.
“That’s okay, we can help each other.” Baby whispered to Joseph.
Some people were stopping by to say hi and commenting on how nice they looked. Before they knew it it was their turn to get in the line.
“Joseph!!!! Look, we have some ladies in front of us and they are dressed up so pretty and they have red hats on.” said Baby.
“I really like that red hat on the donkey,” one of the ladies remarked.“RED!!!”
Joseph shouted. “I got a red hat on!!?? OH NO!! I hope that there isn’t a bull nearby.” Joseph said.
“Don’t be silly, Joseph. Your hat looks good. Did you hear what the lady said and besides I think red is beautiful, especially on the ladies. Oh, oh I think we are ready. The big trucks are moving. We are going to get our chance to see what this is all about.” Baby said as they made their way towards the road.
Suddenly there came some drops of rain.
“See, I told you Baby that I didn’t need a bath. Mother Nature would do it for me.” said Joseph.
“Joseph, sometimes I just don’t know about you.” replied Baby shaking his head.
The further along they walked there were a lot more people. The Red Hat ladies were waving and talking to people they knew along the way.
“How do you like our new recruit?” one of the Ladies shouted to someone that she knew in the crowd as she pointed to Joseph.
“What does a new recruit mean, Joseph” Baby asked.
“I don’t know Baby but I know one thing,” Joseph answered.
“What’s that?”
“I don’t want anything to do with having a bath or running.” Joseph said to Baby.
“That hat looks good on him.” replied the person in the crowd.
Joseph tried his best to hide his head.
“Joseph, are you there…..I can’t see you.” Baby was getting a little worried.
“I’m right behind you Baby, don’t worry.”
“Can I pat your horse?” came a voice from the crowd. There stood a young man patiently waiting for an answer.
“Yes, it is alright” the owners replied.
Baby and Joseph stood quietly for a momentas he patted them both.
“Wake up Joseph it is time to move.” said Baby.
“Oh, that felt so good.” replied Joseph. “I know I didn’t want him to stop. He has special hands, they were so soft and gentle.” replied Baby.
Joseph turned his head looking at Baby.“I think we made him very happy, don’t you think so Baby?”
“Yep”
As they passed the Fire Station Baby and Joseph started wondering if this was where the big trucks lived. As the parade was coming to an end Baby looked at Joseph,
“Is this what a parade is all about Joseph, making people happy?”
“If it is, then we did a good job, wouldn’t you say?” Baby said as he looked at Joseph.
“I think we did Baby,” answered Joseph.
Joseph started looking around.
“What’s wrong?” asked Baby.
“I can’t see the truck and trailer.” Joseph replied.
“Oh, Joseph, are you in for a big surprise. We have to walk back.”
“WHAT!!” shouted Joseph.
“We can see all the people again and not be afraid.” Baby said with a big smile on his face.
Off they went in the direction of the trailer and home.
“We’re back everyone.” shouted Baby as he ran towards the barn.
“Scout, what is a recruit?” was the first thing that Baby asked.
“Well, that is when someone becomes a new member to a group.” Scout replied.
“Oh Joseph, I guess that means that you are a new member of the Red Hat Ladies.”
“As long as they don’t want to dress me up it is okay.” replied Joseph.
The evening was full of questions as Baby and Joseph told the others about their adventure.
“Was there anything you didn’t like?” asked Missy.
”There were a few but it doesn’t matter. We made the people happy. That is what it was all about.”
"Good night everyone," echoed once again through the barn.
Hello everyone. We hope that you enjoyed our adventure and we thank you for letting us join you and be part of your Firefighters’ Extravaganza Parade. Special thanks to Little Bit and Scott. You can come and help us anytime. Don’t forget the peppermints! We learned all about community spirit and the importance of sharing. Next time, we will be telling you about the storm. See you then.
Baby and Joseph
PS: check out our new photos at www.uniacke.org