STORIES FROM THE BARN - THE BELL

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on February 2013

As the clouds passed over the mountain bringing with it a small amount of mist, the barn was still asleep. Even Annie, which was strange within itself. As TC and Havier woke in the big barn they couldn’t help but notice the silence.
“Should we check the Little Ones? This is not like them, especially Annie.â€
“It wouldn’t hurt Havier. We will be as quiet as we can be just in case it is only them being tired. Better yet, let’s just take a peep around the corner.†replied TC.
Sure enough, everything was fine. Baby had a small hay bale for a pillow. Joseph was tucked away in the corner and Annie was in the middle of a dream. Her legs were moving like she was playing in the field.
“Take a visual of this Havier, as it doesn’t happen that often. Annie is always up before we are most days.†TC whispered.
Just then one of Annie’s legs kicked Baby.
“What did you do that for Annie?â€
“What was it that I was supposed to have done?â€
“You just kicked me!â€
“Oh Baby, I’m sorry. I was dreaming I was running in the field through some brushes.â€
“That’s okay, Annie. By the way, did you make it through the bushes?â€
“How do I know? You woke me up!â€
“Guess things are back to normal Havier. Let’s have breakfast.â€
“Good morning Joseph. Was your sleep a good one?â€
“Up until you kicked Baby, it was.â€
“Now Joseph, be good. It was just a dream and Baby is alright with it.â€
“You know how much I like my sleep.â€
“How could anyone not know that? I think I will check the weather for today. I have big plans.â€
“And what may your big plans be Miss Annie?†asked Joseph
“There are a lot of things to do when fall comes.â€
“Like what, Annie?â€
“Don’t even go there Annie. You know what will happen.â€
“Baby, you don’t know what it is I am speaking about!â€
“Joseph, do you think Annie is thinking what we are?â€
“Yep! These apples. Isn’t that right Annie?â€
“JOSEPH!!!!â€
“Well, were we right?â€
“As much as I would like to say no, it would be wrong. Yes, that was it. A girl has got to try. Well, I guess it is plan B.â€
Baby and Joseph both looked at each other.
“Should we ask Baby?â€
“It’s Annie but let’s ask anyway.â€
“Okay, what is Plan B?â€
“Nothing.â€
“What do you mean, nothing!†Joseph asked with a puzzled look on his face.
“I knew you could not stop yourself from asking so I just had to say it.â€
“ANNIE!!!!â€
“Sorry, but I can’t stay. I have to check out the world this morning.†Annie yelled as she ran towards the field.
“STAY AWAY FROM THOSE APPLES ANNIE!!!!â€
“Think she heard us?â€
“That’s anyone’s guess Baby. All I know is one of these days Alice is going to the moon!â€
Baby smiled to himself as he knew Joseph didn’t mean what he said. That was just Joseph.
It must have been the coolness in the air that made everyone enjoy their breakfast more than usual. The hay had some timothy in it even though it isn’t Baby’s favourite grass. It had that sweet smell of summer days.
TC and Havier were not sure if it was a holiday or the owners had time coming to them, but they were home today.
“I bet that loose post in the back corner will get replaced today. What do you think TC?â€
“Yes, and maybe a few more things that need their attention as well Havier.â€
When there is work being done, the Little Ones are especially curious. Change is a big thing to them. This morning even though the owners were in the barn, they were doing boring things, so the Little Ones decided to check back later on the progress of things. Even though they were having fun in the fields, the sound of the hammering could be heard.
“What can they be doing with all that banging?†Baby asked Joseph.
“Maybe we are getting something new.â€
“Like what?†asked Annie.
“Goodness knows.â€
“I am going to see.†shouted Annie as she took off for the barn.
Within minutes she was running back across the field.
“You can’t guess what I just saw!â€
“What are they doing Annie?â€
“That’s it, I don’t know Baby.â€
“What do you mean you don’t know?â€
“Just that! You have to come back with me.â€
As the Little Ones arrived at the barn, the owners were still there fixing something on the wall.
“See, I told you I didn’t know what it was.â€
“Yup, certainly is funny lookingâ€
“What do you make of it Joseph?â€
“For sure it is something hanging from that rope. It has a round ball in the middle of it but what’s with those flowers?â€
“Maybe they did that for TC and me being girls?†Annie replied
“I think I will take a closer look.†Baby answered as he walked closer and just as he was about to-----------------.
“BOO!!â€
“JOSEPH!!!! What did you do that for?†Baby yelled as he gathered himself up off the floor where he had landed.
“Just checking to see if it was something for Halloween.â€
“And you had to wait until I was that close didn’t you Joseph?â€
“I thought it would make it more exciting.â€
“I should have known.â€
“We still have no idea what it is. That’s it! I am going to find out what this thing is.†Annie added as she charged up to the wall and with her nose she touched it-----------
“BOO!!!!!!!!!!!!â€
“Annie, come back! It‘s alright. We know what it is now.â€
Annie stood in the field and yelled back that she wanted to know what it was before she came back.
“It’s alright Annie it is not going to hurt you.†shouted TC
“TC, will you be there if I come back?â€
“I will Annie. Come along.â€
Even though TC and Havier were there and Annie trusted what they said, she was still a bit concerned.
“Come Annie and let me show you what it is.â€
“Baby, Joseph, you need to come too.â€
“Little Ones, this is what is called a bell. How it works is that the little ball inside hits the outer wall and creates a noise. Let me show you.†and at that moment TC touched the bell causing it to ring.
Annie’s eyes got bigger and bigger.
“Wow!! That is what it is! Can I touch it TC?â€
“You certainly can Annie.â€
Annie stuck out her nose creating a ring. But!!!!!!!!!!
“Oh! I see everyone has found it but do they know yet what it is?†said one of the owners.
“Of course we know what it is! TC showed us.†Annie said as she looked up into the faces of the owners.
“Oh! That’s right! You can’t hear me!!â€
“Well, we will leave it and see what happens.†added one of the owners.
“Oh goodness, it is only going to ring when we touch it, isn’t that right TC?â€
“Yes, Annie, I have to agree and now I think I will do some checking on the work our owners did today.â€
As TC and Havier left the Little Ones, they were still staring at the bell.
“Well, who is going to hit it first?â€
“I already had my turn Joseph so it is between you and Baby.†Annie replied.
“I think I will go last.†Baby replied.
“Okay, let’s do it together Babyâ€
With that, both Baby and Joseph hit the bell at the same time.
“Success!†shouted one of the owners.
“What does that mean?â€
“I don’t know, Annie. What about you Joseph?â€
“Nope. Not a clue.â€
Then from around the corner came the owners with treats in their hands.
“Oh! That was so good. Wish I had more.â€
“Joseph, when it comes to food you always wish for more.†Baby replied.
“Nothing wrong with that if you love food the way I do.â€
“You know how smart I am?†Annie replied.
“It’s you who always says that. Not us.†Joseph added.
“Well, I think after this you will have firsthand proof, Joseph, of my smartness.â€
“Ok Annie, if you are so smart, show us.†Baby answered.
“No worries†and with that she touched her nose against the bell and once again the owners gave them treats.
“Is that what you call being smart?â€
“I certainly do Joseph.â€
“No, I have to say that it was just by accident and nothing else.â€
“Well, watch this.â€
Within minutes the same thing happened again.
“What do you have to say about my smartness now! Just think for a minute, this is a treat bell. Whenever we ring it and the owners are in the barn, we get treats.â€
“Now Joseph, she does have a point there.â€
“Do it again and let’s see what happens.â€
Sure enough, history repeated itself. Baby could see Joseph was thinking when--
“If this keeps up I won’t have to dream about food any more, just ring the bell. Plus there’s no work involved!†Joseph smiled.
Baby was just about to answer Joseph when the lights went out and the front door closed. The owners were leaving.
“Wait! Now would be the time to see if it really works and bring them back.†Baby whispered.
“Let’s do it!!!!†Annie replied.
The Little Ones each pushed on the bell sending the ringing throughout the barn.
Would you believe the lights came back on and Bingo! - another treat.! TC and Havier were watching from the big barn.
“I think it is time for an intervention, wouldn’t you say Havier.?â€
“For sure.â€
It didn’t take long for the Little Ones to tell TC and Havier what had been happening.
“Little Ones, let me ask you something. If you got treats every time you wanted them, would they be treats any longer?â€
“I don’t think so TC.†answered Baby.
“No, they wouldn’t be because a treat is something that you get once in a while. That is why it is called a treat. “
“If that is the case, why did they put the bell there in the first place if they didn’t want us to ring it?†Joseph asked.
“I think it may have been put there to test and see how smart you all were.â€
“Guess we have proven that TC.â€
“You certainly have Annie. From now on it is alright to ring it once in a while but not all the time. That way, when you get a treat, it will be special.â€
As the days passed, the interest in the bell grew less and less until this one day when--------
“TC, I need to ring the bell.†shouted Joseph.
“You know what? We talked about that, Joseph.
“I don’t want treats TC. I just want my supper. Our owners forgot to feed me!â€
“In that case----..ring the BELL!â€
You could say Joseph was saved by the bell.
As the barn settled in for night------
“We just want to say thanks for the bell because it would have been a long night with Joseph and an empty belly.â€
“Amen to that Baby.â€
“Little Ones, I think it is time to say good night.â€
“Good night TC and Havier.â€
Silence once again had fallen on the barn when-----
“I hear someone’s belly rolling.†Baby whispered.
“It’s mine. Jjust on my way home for supper,†Murphy replied as he jumped through the window.
“Good Night Murphyâ€

Hello Everyone. This is our adventure for this mont. The bell is still hanging on the wall. We have listened to what TC told us about treats and ring once in awhile. Halloween is upon us. Make sure you carry a light and your clothing can be seen in the dark. Always make sure your parents check your treats with you. Have a safe Halloween. Our next story is - Our Neighbours.

Baby, Joseph TC, Havier,
Little Annie and Murphy