STORIES FROM THE BARN - TOO LATE

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on February 2013

The sun winked at the moon as it dropped beneath the horizon.
“Could this be the day when they vacate?†thought Joseph as he listened to the sounds of the babies trying out their wings. “It has to be very crowded in the tiny nest.â€
“Good morning Joseph. Why are you up so early….oops! I forgot, the birds are awake too. They will be gone soon. Did you notice that the mother and father can’t get in the nest anymore? They just stop at the door and feed.†Annie yelled as she went on with her daily routine.
“I hope today is the fly-away-from-home day and I can return to my normal lazy ways.â€
“No truer words have I ever heard.†whispered Baby as he came up behind him.
“You were not supposed to hear that!â€
“In that case, you should have talked in your head and not with your lipsâ€
“Oh, aren’t we funny today, Baby?†Joseph answered as he laughed.
On the big side of the barn TC and Havier were just finishing off the breakfast.
“It must be spring that has my belly so hungry these days.†Havier told TC.
“That’s mainly due to those fresh blades of grass that make you want more. That reminds me. Maybe we should do some checking of the property line ourselves today.â€
“Why is that TC?â€
“Didn’t you see our owners the other evening checking out the fence between us and the neighbour, making sure there were no broken posts or fence?â€
“I am a bit confused. If they did it, what is left for us to do? You do trust them, don’t you TC?â€
“Havier, think about it. There are the three Little Ones who just love to get into things they shouldn’t. They can find the small holes and eat the green apples. You must remember that one…..oh, that was before you came. I’ll tell you the story sometime but for now, for my own piece of mind, we are going to check things out for ourselves.â€
“Yes, sounds like a good idea.â€
“Good idea for what TC?â€
“Oh Annie. I didn’t see you coming. We were just talking about what we were going to do today.â€
“Something exciting I hope. Can I get excited with you?â€
“What we are going to do is not exciting Annie, but it has to be done.â€
“Okay, I’ll check out Baby and Joseph and see what they are up to.â€
“Why didn’t you tell Annie?â€
“Then I would have had to explain it all out in detail, Havier.â€
“No question there and maybe more when it comes to dealing with Annie.â€
“Let’s get going and see if things are all right.â€
As TC and Havier walked off towards the far field, Annie caught up with Baby and Joseph who were going to just hang out for the afternoon. That sounded good to Annie as it had been a while since the three of them had some bonding time.
After walking half the property it was time for TC and Havier to have a rest.
“You have been here for quite a while now Havier. How do you like living here with us?â€
“I couldn’t have gotten a better place, TC. First I found it funny but I guess that was natural. I wish I could see some of my old friends, though. It’s hard when they are so far from here.â€
“Stranger things have happened Havier and you never know. One day someone might come for a visit or something.â€
TC turned to see where the sun was in the sky.
“By the looks of the sun we better continue on before it’s supper time. I think we should check out the round pen.â€
“What is the round pen?†asked Havier.
TC turned and looked at him with somewhat of a smile on her face.
“What’s that look for, TC?â€
“I thought there for a minute I had Annie with me the way you asked that question.â€
Havier couldn’t help but laugh as well, for TC was right. As they got closer to the round pen he knew then what it was.
“Oh! There are some rails down on the backside that have to be repaired.â€
“Oh TC. There are some over here behind the gate.†Havier answered as he……….
“HAVIER. DON’T CLOSE THE GATE!!!†shouted TC but it was too late.
“why? What is wrong with closing the gate?â€
“Simple Havier and it was my fault. I didn’t tell you. The gate, once it is closed, is hard to open. Most of the time someone has to open it from the outside.â€
“I hope it isn’t this time.†Havier said.
TC tried to open the gate with her head but it was not going to open.
“Well, a fine kettle of fish this is.â€
“TC. I know we can’t get out right now but have you lost your mind that fast? What does a “kettle of fish†have to do with our situation?â€
“Well, nothing Havier. I had heard it a long time ago and thought it might be the place to use it.â€
“Oh, and what are we going to do TC?â€
“We will get the Little Ones to come and get us.â€
“How are we going to do that when you didn’t tell anyone where we were goingâ€
TC stood for a minute looking at Havier as if she wasn’t believing what she was hearing.
“HELLO!!!!!!!!!â€
“I hear you Havier. I was just thinking.â€
“On what? Plan B because plan A is toast?â€
“Just give me a minute. I will think of something.â€
Meanwhile, the Little Ones were finished hanging out when…..
“Baby, is it me or am I right by saying that I haven’t seen TC and Havier for awhile?â€
“Now that you mentioned it, I haven’t seen them either.â€
“It needs to be investigated, I think. We will split up and check different places around the barn.†Joseph replied with authority.
“then let’s do it!†shouted Annie as she was off and running.
A few minutes later the Little Ones returned without TC and Havier.
“This is not like TC, especially, to be amongst the missing. She always lets you know where she is.â€
“I know Baby and it is getting late in the afternoon.â€
“Yes, Annie and I think we have to take the bull by the horns and find them. We will just have to look farther.†replied Joseph.
“But Joseph, we are not allowed to go any farther than we already have. If we do then we are in trouble.â€
“If we don’t Annie, we won’t find TC and Havier. What if something happened to them and we didn’t try?â€
“You are right. I’ll be the leader on this adventure. Someone has to take the lead in these matters.†added Joseph.
“It’s okay with me as long as we all agree on what it is we are going to do.†answered Annie.
“Me too.â€
“I think we should check out the big tree first and then if
they aren’t there we will go farther into the backfield.â€
“I hope we find them there because that backfield is kind of scary.â€
“that is because we aren’t allowed back there on our own, Annie.â€
“What’s back there anyway?â€
“Oh, there is a shelter and a round pen.â€
“What’s a round pen Baby?â€
“It is a place that the owner uses to train sometimes.â€
“Okay. Everything settled on where we are going?â€
“Yes, Joseph.â€
“Then let’s move out.â€
As the Little Ones were getting closer to the big tree it didn’t look as if anyone was there.
“Does this mean we have to go farther Joseph?â€
“I am afraid so Annie.â€
“Then can I get in the middle between the two of you?â€
“Not a problem. Don’t worry Annie, we are here to protect you and things are going to be alright.†answered Joseph.
“They won’t be alright until we are back in the barn with TC and Havier.â€
“I think that is how we all feel right now, Annie.†replied Baby.
The sun was starting to cast long shadows on the field. The Little Ones could see the shelter and round pen in the distance. To them it was a thousand miles away.
“What if we don’t find them here Joseph? Then what do we do?â€
“We will cross that bridge when we come to it.â€
Havier happened to be looking in the same direction the Little Ones were coming from.
“TC you won’t believe this. Our rescuers are on the way.â€
“Oh! I am so happy to see them coming, but………â€
“Nothing you can do about it. Just be happy they are coming to rescue us.â€
“I am not supposed to need rescuing. I am supposed to look after everyone!â€
“No one is perfect, TC. We all have made mistakes and most likely will in the future. The main thing is that you learn from the mistakes.â€
“Like not just taking off like we did?â€
“Bingo!!!â€
As Joseph led the way with his ear high and alert, something caught his eye.
“Look over that way. Is that something moving over there?â€
“I think it is Joseph.â€
“Oh! I see a pair of ears and are they ever big!†Annie shouted and before anyone could say another word……
“Havier! Havier! Is that you with those big ears?â€
“Annie! Is that you?â€
“We are coming!â€
Within minutes they were at the round pen.
“TC. Why are you and Havier in there?â€
“I forgot to tell Havier about the gate.â€
“That’s not all you forgot TC.â€
“I know Baby. I left without saying a word to anyone. That I should’ve have doneâ€
“It was a mistake on our part. When Annie asked what we were doing, we should have told her then. We are sorry and now we would like to get out, please.†Havier replied.
“What do we have to do?†asked Annie.
“It’s simple. We just have to apply ourselves.â€
“What!!!!!â€
“He means that we turn around backwards and put some pressure on the gate to open it enough so TC can get her nose on it and pull.â€
“That’s it Baby.â€
“No I think we will keep Annie in the middle.â€
“Why is that†Because I am a girl?â€
Baby and Joseph looked at each other thinking that the easiest way out was to say yes in this situation. Annie was satisfied with the answer.
“On the count of three we all start pushing on the gate.â€
“Got it Joseph.â€
As they pushed, the gate very slowly started to move but not enough for TC to work from her side.
“Let’s give it another try Little Ones. You did a great job.â€
Suddenly, with the next push, the gate opened with TC and Havier free.
“I never…………â€
“I think we should start for the barn now and talk later Havier. As the barn came into view, each of them was thinking what a nice sight it was and how much it was nice to be home. After supper everyone was pretty tired after the excitement of the day.
“TC, you and Havier did the exact opposite of what you tell us not to do. Why?†asked Baby.
“How can I ask you not to do something when I actually did what I shouldn’t have done? I am not proud of what I did and as Havier reminded me earlier – we can all make mistakes but not to do it the second time is what is important.â€
“Are we too much for you to look after TC?â€
“No, just the opposite, Joseph. I wanted to make sure that you all stayed safe this summer.â€
“What does that mean, TC?â€
“I think TC was looking for things we could get into – like green apple trees.â€
Everyone had to laugh at what Joseph had said.
“Little Ones, all I can say is thank you for coming to find us and never go anywhere without telling someone.â€
“I’m going to the house for the night, just in case anyone is interested.†replied Murphy as he walked through the barn to the open door.
“Good night, Murphy.â€
“I think that should be for everyone. It has been a different kind of day with a lot of lessons learned.â€
“Good night Little Ones.â€
TC and Havier looked at each other knowing something had to come…….
“Good night MIA.â€
“What is that Annie?â€
“Oh, Missing in Afternoon.â€
“GOOD NIGHT ANNIE.â€
“Thank you Havier for using me.â€
“I was with you TC so we are in it together. I could have told Annie earlier but didn’t .â€
“Listen.â€
“What is it Joseph?â€
“The birds have vacated the upstairs. Priceless!!!!â€

Hi everyone. That is our story until the end of August. By that time goodness knows what we will have to tell you and the lessons learned. Remember, this summer ALWAYS TELL SOMEONE WHERE YOU ARE GOING OR WHERE YOU ARE.
Play safe and make a lot of nice memories.
Baby, Joseph, TC, Havier, Little Annie and Murphy the cat.