THE UNKNOWN - Part 2

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on July 2013

Hi Everyone, Just to catch up from last month……..Joseph and Baby have no idea what has happened to Annie. While

Annie has been travelling on the trailer she has been wondering where she is going. Now let’s continue
Back at the barn:
“TC what are we going to do? We can’t just leave the Little Ones standing there waiting for Annie. Now I have to ask. Is she coming back? It was rather strange the way she left. Our owners always load here at the barn.†Havier spoke in a soft voice.
“I wish I was not the head of our family in times like these. I don’t have an answer for the Little Ones. Between you and me, Havier, if they had gone for a walk, they certainly would have returned by now.†TC replied.
Just as TC was finished talking she turned around and there were the Little Ones directly behind her.
“TC, we heard what you just said!†Joseph said.
“Yes. That you didn’t like being the head of our family. TC you are our leader.†Baby answered and turned his back.
“Little Ones, that isn’t what I meant. Let me explain to you what that meant. Sometimes there are things that happen and you are the only one that can make it right. Then there are times too when there is nothing you can do. This being one of those times. I don’t know where our owner took Annie.â€
“I understand now, I think, TC and Havier.â€
“I’m glad you do. Joseph what about you?â€
“I will be fine Havier. I am going to call this a “no answer†situation.â€
“I have to say I am sorry TC for turning my back to you. I know that is being disrespectful to both you and Havier.â€
“We accept your apology Baby and we also realize your concern for Annie. This was one of the very few times that we haven’t been able to give you an answer.â€
Back at the trailer:
Annie heard the door when it opened but her eyes were closed so tight that she couldn‘t see anything. In her mind she thought when she opened her eyes she would be handed over to her owner. She could hear her owner telling her it was alright to open her eyes and she knew that in time it would have to happen. Until then she was going to stay as far in the corner as she could. As she stood there all she could think about was the others at the barn and if they had forgotten her already.
“Oh Miss Diva is here…………………..
At the Barn:
“I was just thinking that it may be a good time to take a walk to the big tree. The breeze is blowing nicely which will keep the flies away. What do you think Little Ones?â€
“I think it would be nice but you want to keep us busy so we won’t think about Annie. Right TC?â€
“Joseph I guess I can’t sugar coat anything when you are around. Yes I did think it would help pass the time until supper.†TC replied.
“Yes and we should know by then what is going on.â€
“I agree Havier because someone will be here for supper. We will have to keep our ears on full alert and see if we can find out something.†Baby answered.
At the Trailer:
Within seconds Annie’s eyes shot open faster than a lightning bolt when she heard those words.
“What the earth is this?“ thought Annie to herself as she looked Diva up and down.
“I guess you know already that I am Miss Diva.â€
“How could I not? What kind of name is that - Miss Diva� Annie asked.
“ I am a girl and I like things the way I like them.â€
“Oh, you must like your hair cut.â€
“Don’t even go there. That is my owner and she does it to me every spring.â€
“I thought the razor had broken down half way through the cut.â€
“You have no idea some of the crazy things she does but at the end of the day she is a good owner.†Diva replied.
Annie thought the time had come…………
At the Barn:
“It was nice to visit the big tree.†Joseph said as he made his way back to the corner of the fence as Baby followed closed behind.
“Baby, this is the time I wish my ears were a radar instead of just a name. I could zone in on where Annie was and wouldn’t have to worry if she was alright.â€
“Me also Joseph. Life is funny.You don’t know how much you miss something or someone until it is gone. All those crazy questions and answers of Annie’s!â€
“I can’t believe this but I actually miss her and her girlie ways, but when Annie comes home Baby, you know if I am asked, I will plead the fifth amendment.â€
“Oh Joseph, I know you care just like me.†Baby answered as he lay his head over Joseph’s back looking down the road.
Back at the Trailer:
“Miss Diva or can I call you just Diva?â€
“I just use Miss Diva when I am in one of those moods so people will pay attention to me.â€
“Then I am Miss Annie but to you just Annie is okay.â€
“You got the girlie thing going on too. Nice Annie.â€
“Diva, when I am home and want my own way, I use these eyes of mine and do a little whining and it works most of the time." Annie answered but her face changed.
"Miss Annie, what is the matter? You look like you have lost your best friend."
"Oh Diva, I have. I am afraid I won't see them again."
"How so Annie?"
Annie went on to tell Diva the happenings of the day.
"Oh you silly goose."
Back at the barn:
Joseph's ears suddenly came to attention causing Baby's head to go up in the air.
"JOSEPH!!!!!!
"BE QUIET BABY!!!"
"What!!!!!"
"I think they are coming home. I hear ........
Back with Annie :
"Miss Diva, why did you call me that???"
“Well, this is a training clinic, that’s all. Some are here because they haven't shown and others need some fine tuning, like me. Which one are you?â€
“What?†Annie answered with a strange look again on her face.
“What is it with that question you don’t understand Miss Annie?â€
Annie took a deep breath looking at Diva, opened her mouth…….
Back at the Barn:
“Baby, it is them….Annie is coming home!!!!!. The closer they got the joy changed to bewilderment. It was just the truck pulling into the barn. TC and Havier had heard the truck as well. They came running to be with the Little Ones. When TC saw it was just the truck, she started to put two and two together. TC looked at Havier telling him not to say anything until they could find something out, just in case what she thought wasn’t right. It would be too much for the Little Ones to handle.
“Before we start trying to figure this out, let’s just wait and see if our owner will give us a clue as to where Annie is.â€
“But what if they don’t TC?†Baby yelled.
“Let’s just take one step at a time Baby.â€
“Well, it is nice to have a greeting party to come home to. Too bad Annie won’t see it……†the owner said as he went into the barn.
“See, TC, Annie isn’t coming back!!!!†Joseph yelled and ran into the barn not wanting to hear another word.
Just then……………..
Back at the Trailer:
“Does this really mean I am NOT here to get a new owner and never go back to the barn again!!!!†Annie shouted.
“That is why I called you a silly goose when you told me how you got here. I am staying here for a while because there was something done to my road and I have to wear boots so my feet won’t get sore but they won’t stay on and when it rains it’s worse.â€
“Oh Diva! Silly me! I got it!!!!â€
“Got what?â€â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦..
At the Barn:
“We can’t stand here and let Joseph go off like that. Come on everyone, he needs us to be with him and….†Before Baby could finish they were all in the barn. Joseph had run to the farthest corner. As the owner was getting supper ready, he said, “Maybe when Annie comes home tomorrow you can all be there to greet her………
At the trailer:
“You said your road was bad, well our driveway at the barn is very wet and if my owner had loaded me there we would have gotten stuck in the mud. That is why I got on the trailer at the house. I am not going to a new place to live after all. I have never shown before so I guess that is what I am here to learn. Joseph wears boots too.†Annie said with a big sigh of relief.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you that you have to stay overnight. Have you been away from home overnight before and who is Joseph?†asked Diva.
“No, I have never had a sleepover but you will be here so it will be good. As for Joseph, I will tell you all about him tonight.â€
“Sounds good Annie, but it looks like we have to go to work now. You learn how to show and me, well, let’s just say I need to learn an attitude adjustment.†Diva replied as they both entered the arena.
Back at the Barn:
Joseph almost fell into the water bucket that was close by when he heard those words. The feeling of contentment filled the barn as they finished supper and settled in for the night knowing that tomorrow would bring Annie home.
At the Trailer:
Annie said good bye to Diva as she got back on the trailer. She was tired after learning how much there was to showing. She couldn’t wait to get home.
“I am glad you could come Annie. We had a good time together. Remember to say hi to Joseph and Baby for me.â€
“Diva, you know not once did you say to me –
“ Oh! You ‘re a donkey not a miniature horse.†like you are.â€
“It doesn’t matter Annie what you are. I saw you as another girl and someone I was compatible with. Someone to laugh, chat and learn with. So what if you are a donkey and I am a mini. We are both animals aren’t we?â€
“Diva, in my books you are now my friend forever.†Annie whispered.
“Me too Annie†and with that the doors closed. A few minutes later they were heading for home.
At the Barn:
“Joseph, what are you doing? You don’t even like water.†Baby said.
“This is another one of those fifth amendments but I just thought I would have a clean face when Annie gets here.â€
Baby just stood looking at Joseph.
“I wish I could operate a video camera because no one will believe this.†Baby answered laughing.
“Tomorrow if I said that you would have heard “what is a video camera?â€
Joseph laughed so hard that he couldn’t say a word. Baby had hit the nail right on the head.
Before they knew it the trailer was pulling into the driveway. Everyone ran to greet Annie as she got off the trailer. She was so happy to see everyone that tears were welling up in her eyes.
“Welcome home Annie†Baby yelled.
“Did you miss me? I missed you all but now Miss Annie is back.†she answered with a big laugh quietly thanking Diva for showing her a few tricks on being a girl.
The next few hours Annie had the stage as she told of her experiences.
“Now when someone leaves for a show I will have some idea of what it is like. There was so much that happened I will have to tell you the rest on one of those days when we have story time. I have a message for you Joseph.â€
“What is that?
“Well Diva said hello to you and to Baby.â€
“Who is that?†asked Baby.
“Oh, not that Diva. Baby you must remember her……bad haircut in the spring and all that girly stuff.â€
“How could I forget her? She is nice though.â€
Annie went on to tell them how she never saw her as a donkey but just another animal.
“That was the best thing I liked about Diva, she liked me for who I was not what I was.†Annie said with pride.
“Now that explains why you said MISS ANNIE when you got off the trailer.â€
“Diva said you would put it together.â€
“Come little Ones, I think it is time to settle in for the night.â€
Moments later out of the silence
“It’s good to be altogether again.†Annie whispered.
“Speak for yourself. This has been hard on the head.†Joseph answered.
“Joseph, you missed me didn’t you?â€
“Here comes the fifth amendment.â€
“What’s the fifth amendment Baby?â€
“Annie’s home.â€
“Good night Little Ones.â€
“Good night TC and Havier.â€

Hi Everyone, we hope you liked the end to our story. What we learned was, it is hard when someone leaves and we don’t know why. The biggest lesson learned was to see the person, or in Annie’s case, the animal, as they are and what they look like. Not what you think they should look like and be like.
See you next month with a story on moving in. Stay safe and play safe. It’s summer.
Baby, Joseph, TC, Havier and Little Annie