STORIES FROM THE BARN - WHAT HAVE I DONE?

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on January 2017

The morning had the feel of a season which was about to change. Leaves were starting to fall off the trees much faster and the mornings were a bit cooler. Baby could even feel the change in his body. That sleek summer coat was slowly getting thicker. Winter was coming and there was not stopping it.
“What are you doing Baby? You have that faraway look in your eyes this morning.â€
“I was taking a moment to feel the change in the season.†replied Baby.
“I love this time of the year and all it has to bring!â€
“Joseph, you expect me to believe that?†asked Jake.
“It is the truth and I will tell you why in one word…..
VACATION!.....nothing to get up…….no more squeaky clean…….hello dirt here I come……no more trailer rides and the list goes on.â€
“Joseph, what am I going to do with you?â€
“Send me south, Baby, so I can have a real vacation. I will be able to lay in the sun all day and eat as much as I want with nothing to do. It would be so much more fun than feeling my fur quietly telling me that winter is coming.â€
“Now that you mention it, I am starting to feel a change in mine as well.†replied Annie who up until now had just been listening to what was being said.
Just then there was the sound of feet hitting the floor from the direction of the loft.
“Remember what I said Springer.†shouted Momma Kitty.
“What was it, Springer, that you Momma told you?â€
“Oh, she told me not to stray too far away from the barn today, Annie.â€
“You know Momma’s know best.†yelled Annie as Springer bounced out the door.
“Are you thinking what I am Baby?â€
“Yep Joseph. Afraid I am. Just have to wait and see.â€
Meanwhile, in the field……….
Springer had been sitting quietly in the grass for almost an hour waiting for something to come along that he could play with for a while. Boredom was starting to set in when the grass started to move. Sure enough, there was a mouse. The chase was on. Springer started running and running, then suddenly the mouse had disappeared just as fast as it
had come. Springer wasn’t too worried because most of the time they would reappear. All he had to do was wait a bit longer.
Back at the barn………..
“Hi Sook. You look like you just got up.â€
“I did, Annie.â€
“But it is afternoon.â€
“I didn’t sleep well last night. My fur was so itchy.â€
“Your winter coat must be starting to grow.â€
“It can grow Annie, but does it have to be that itchy? Have you seen my brother?â€
“I saw him this morning when your mother told him to stay close to the barn.â€
“OK. I think I will go and find him.â€
“See you later Sook.â€
Meanwhile, back in the field…….
Just as Springer thought. The grass started to move again. The chase was on again. Or was it? As the grass parted, Springer pounced, only to discover there was a nose there sniffing back at him. This wasn’t the mouse and he wasn’t sticking around to find out what was attached to that nose!
A few minutes later, Springer decided he was far enough away and that it was safe to stop and catch his breath. He looked around and suddenly realized nothing was familiar…..He was surrounded by big trees. He was lost! Now, what to do?
Back at the barn……….
Momma Kitty was standing at the back door with a look on her face that only a mother would know.
“Havier and Jake, have either of you seen Springer since this morning?â€
“Now you mention it, we don’t remember seeing him. Why, Momma Kitty?†asked Jake.
“I haven’t seen him either and darkness is coming on fast. Sook, you are just in time. Have you seen your brother?â€
“No. In fact, I have been looking for him myself.â€
“I told him that I wanted him to stay close to the barn today!â€
Jake knew then what the look on Momma Kitty’s face was. She was worried about Springer.
“We will keep our eyes open for him.†they said as they left the barn.
Meanwhile, back in the field…………….
Springer too was getting worried because he could see that night was coming. “What if I do try to get back to the barn and I see that nose again? I just can’t stay here either! I have to try and find my way home.†Just then, the words of his mother echoed in his head. “I should have listened to her and I wouldn’t be in this mess. No one knows where I went. I can’t blame it on that nose because if I had listened I wouldn’t be in this mess. I have to try and make it back to the barn.â€
Back at the barn……………
The owners had just arrived for supper. It didn’t take them long to realize that Kitty was worried. That look meant only one thing. She can’t find her kids.
Meanwhile Back in the Field…….
Springer had mustered up enough courage to start looking for the way home while also keeping his ears and eyes open for anything unusual. Finally he found himself back in the tall grass. He hoped that this was going to be a good sign that he was on the right path home. Well, he was half right. Just then the grass ahead of him started to part. “This can’t be happening again.†thought Springer as he got ready to run. This time, a hoof came through the grass.
“Is that you Jake or Havier?†shouted Springer.
“No, it is me, Jelda. Who are you?â€
“I’m Springer and I am lost.â€
“Do you live in the barn where Annie lives?â€
“Yes, I do. How did you know that?â€
“Come with me and I will show you how I know.â€
Back at the barn………….
“I can’t just wait for Springer to come home. I have to go looking for him.â€
“We are all going to help you Momma Kitty. Let’s just make sure he is not in the barn. You know Springer. He is like you, Joseph, when it comes to sleep.†said Havier.
A few minutes later, after every corner of the barn was checked, there was still no Springer.
Meanwhile, back in the field………….
After taking just a few steps, they cam to the fence line.
“See Springer, there is you home and I think I see everyone coming this way. Maybe they are looking for you. Let me call out to them.â€
“Annie, if you are looking for Springer, he is here with me.â€
Momma Kitty started running like a bolt of lightning toward Springer. She was so glad to see him but was upset at the same time that he had not listened to her.
Springer tole them what had happened and how sorry he was for not listening to what he had been told.
“Springer, if you had waited a minute you would have discovered that it was my nose that was in the grass.†said Zelda.
“Oh, you have got a big nose, Zelda.â€
Everyone laughed and Momma Kitty thanked Zelda for helping Springer.
“If you see him up here again…………….â€
“I know, Momma Kitty, I won’t show him my nose.â€

As they all approached the barn, Momma Kitty took charge and herded everyone in for the night.
“Kids to the loft. I need some peace and quiet.â€

Hi everyone. Hope you liked our story and learned something from it. Not only did springer not listen, he didn’t tell anyone where he was going. Two things that can get you into trouble. Always listen and always let someone know where you are. Until next time.
Baby, Joseph, Annie, Havier Jake and Catsville