WHAT THE EARTH

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on April 2013

The spring birds have started returning for another season. The days certainly are getting longer but winter isn’t ready to exit the stage. Baby woke with a chill as he had started losing his winter coat.
“Anyone know where I can find a suitcase or even a box?†asked Baby.
“What are you going to do with that?†Annie answered rather puzzled.
“Simple, I am going to send Winter packing so Spring can arrive. I don’t like feeling chilly when I wake up.
My coat isn’t as thick as it was.â€
The look on both Joseph’s and Annie’s faces caused him to ask what was wrong.
“We feel it is time for winter to leave as well, but with the days getting longer, that doesn’t effect our coats like it does yours.†replied Joseph.
“I keep forgetting you can’t shed your coats like I do.†answered Baby.
“For days like this, when it is chilly, I’m glad I still have my coat. But on the other hand, if our owners are later in the spring shaving us, it really gets hot under here.â€
“Can’t have it both ways, I guess, Joseph.†Baby added.
Just then TC and Havier came to check in on the Little Ones after a night of rest.
“Good morning everyone. It’s certainly on the chilly side!†TC said.
“Oh, by the way ,Baby is looking for a suitcase or a box to pack Winter on its way.â€
“Great idea if only we could Annie.†Havier replied.
“TC, does your coat start shedding like Baby’s when the days get longer?â€
“Oh yes Annie, it does and on mornings like this, I feel it more and more each year.â€
“How old are you TC?†asked Annie.
“ANNIE!!!â€
“WHAT!!â€
“That’s not polite asking someone what their age is and even worse if they are older than you. It’s rude.†stated Baby.
“I have to agree.†Joseph whispered.
“I wasn’t being rude Baby and Joseph. Really I wasn’t!
I was doing some research in my head. I was just wondering if you are young or old, big or small, if losing or shedding your coat would make a difference and……….. OH! I better shut my teeth before I get in too deep.â€
Annie said as her voice started to lower,
“I understand what you were trying to say Annie. Baby won’t feel it the same as I do because he is younger. As for my age, let’s just say a lady never tells.â€
“I tell everyone how old I am. Maybe I better not from now on seeing where I am a girl too.â€
Joseph, who had been taking it all in, decided it was time to say something before Annie got herself into trouble.
“Maybe it is time for Annie to have a lesson in age 101.â€
“I agree.†answered Baby.
“Oh, I get it Joseph. What 101 really means is that I’ll explain later.†replied Annie.
“Correctâ€.
“I am rather lucky being a mule because I take after the horse side of me and shed my winter coat just like a horse.†added Havier.
“I guess there is something to say about being a horse in the end.â€
“What does that mean Joseph?†asked Baby.
“Well, Havier doesn‘t have that painful task of standing still for a long time with the razor going up and down his body. Sometimes it takes days to finish.â€
“Wait just one minute, Joseph. I am done in an hour. You’re longer because you don’t want to stand and you bug our owner to the point that he has to stop to give you a rest. Let’s get the facts straight and you do look funny half shaven.†Annie answered.
TC and Havier smiled to themselves as they walked away. Sometime the Little Ones remind them of that famous box of chocolates…….you never knew what they were going to say next.
The morning routine was unfolding as it should when the sound of a truck pulling into the driveway was heard. The Little Ones came running to see who it was.
“Have you ever seen that truck before Baby?†asked Joseph.
“Nope. Can’t say that I have.â€
“Guess that is a “no†for me too if neither of you have seen it before. What is that funny looking stuff in the back of the truck?†added Annie.
“I don’t have a clue.†replied Joseph.
Within seconds the truck was gone leaving behind bags and wood at the side of the barn.
“Maybe our owners are going to make something and that’s why the truck dropped off this stuff.†stated Baby.
That answer satisfied both Annie and Joseph so nothing more was said.
The weekend had arrived with the owners making the best of the sun that came with the new day. Everyone was busy
with something, so the thoughts of the truck from yesterday was a thing of the past. The day continued as usual with playing in the field. TC gets a little concerned if they are playing too far away when the sun starts to set. She always likes to have them close when evening comes.
“I think TC wants us to go back to the barn. Let’s play that game to see who gets there first. Where I am the youngest I should get a head start.†Annie yelled.
“WRONG!!! HELLO ….Age here doesn’t matter. Equal start for all is how the game is played.†Joseph shouted as they formed a line to start the race.
The race was on and no one was surprised when Baby was the first to the barn with shouts of excitement Then suddenly the laughter changed to silence as Baby came to a sudden stop. By the time the others arrived Baby’s face showed nothing but fear.
“Baby! What’s wrong? Did you hurt yourself in the race?â€
“I’m not hurt!!!! Look around me!!!!!.†Baby screamed.
Both Joseph and Annie looked around and all they saw was the stuff the truck had brought. Other than that, things looked normal.
“It looks pretty well the same as when we left, Baby, but that goes without saying that‘s not what you see. Can you share with us what it is?†asked Joseph in a very soft voice that showed his concern.
“The bale of hay that was my BED!!! My feed bowl!!! My salt lick AND MY HARNESS, ALL GONE!!! THEY DON’T WANT ME ANYMORE!!!!!! They put my stuff in a SUITCASE just like I was going to do with Winter. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO and WHERE AM I GOING????? Baby yelled back as his eyes filled with tears.
“Baby, try and slow down. There has to be an explanation of what is happening. Annie, you stay here with Baby and keep him calm while I go and find TC and Havier. I’ll be right back.â€
“Run as fast as your legs will go Joseph!!!â€
“I will Annie, I promise. Just look after Baby for me.â€
True to his word, Joseph found TC and Havier within seconds. When she looked up and saw Joseph running that fast, she knew something was wrong and started walking toward him.
“TC !! HAVIER!! You have to come with me right now! Baby is upset and I don’t know what to do!!!†shouted Joseph.
“Slow down Joseph and tell me what happened.â€
“Baby is not hurt, it is………… and he started filling them in on what they found in the barn.
Meanwhile, back at the barn, Baby was pacing back and forth so fast that he was starting to sweat and that wasn’t good for him.
“Baby, you have to get control before you get sick.â€
“That is easy for you to say Annie. All your stuff is still here. Mine isn’t. I am the one they don’t want any more and is being kicked out!!!â€
“Baby, we don’t know what is going on. I know I am young but I have been given a grown-up girl’s job by Joseph to look after you. Please listen to me just this once. Please…ok Baby?â€
“ I will try Annie but I don’t know if I can.â€
“We’re back Annie and I have TC and Havier with me.†shouted Joseph as he ran into the barn.
“Oh! thank goodness. I have never been so happy to see you. Baby is so upset. I did my best Joseph.â€
“Baby, we are here now and things are going to be alright.†TC said as she spoke softly.
“TC, I have never questioned what you have told us, ever, but this time it is going to be really hard for me to do that. I am leaving. All my stuff is gone! What is going to happen to me TC?†Baby asked and this time the tears poured down his face.
“I feel so helpless Annie. Baby is my best buddy. We have been through a lot together.â€
“I know Joseph, but we have to try and believe in what TC is saying.†Annie whispered as she moved closer.
“Come, Little Ones. Gather around and we will explain what is going on. You see, our owners are giving us new digs.†TC answered.
“BUT, TC, what does that really mean? I need to know?†asked Baby.
“Really, it is very simple. No one is going anywhere. We are still going to be a family and stay together. Our home is what is going to be changing. We are going to be getting our own special spaces to chill out and………………BABY!
“TC, why does Baby look so funny!!!!! TC HELP HIM PLEASE!†shouted Annie.
“Move back everyone. Baby needs to get some water.â€
“The water is way over there Havier.†Joseph yelled.
“Not for long†Havier said as he made his way to the water tub and gently put his hoof on the side knocking it over.
Quickly the water hit Baby causing him to take a deep breath. He looked at Havier……
“What did you do that for?â€
“You were about to faint Baby.â€
“Oh TC, was I really?â€
“I’m afraid so. Let me explain Baby. Sometimes when you get as upset as you were, different things can happen. In your case, after you heard that things were going to be alright, it was too much to handle at once. You were about to faint.â€
“Can I say something TC?â€
“Certainly Annie.â€
“Thanks to Havier’s quick thinking, your fainting was turned away. I just wanted you to know that in case you didn’t remember†Annie answered.
“Thanks Havier. I feel so silly.â€
“No worries Baby nothing to feel silly about. It could happen to any of us.†added Havier.
“There will be a lot of upsets and days like this while our new digs are being done but at the end of the day we are going to have a new- looking home.â€
“Another question TC?â€
“Yes, Baby?â€
“Can we come to you and Havier if we don‘t understand so we won‘t get upset?â€
“Anytime at all Baby and don‘t be shy.â€
Just then the owners came in and saw the water all over the floor.
“Do you think the horses are trying to tell us that they don’t like the mess we are making?â€
“Could be and if that is the case they did a good job.†answered the owner
“This is one time I am glad they can’t understand us.†Joseph added.
That made everyone laugh. At other times they always wanted the owners to hear them but that wasn't the case this time.
After supper it seemed that everyone was lost in their own thoughts of the day as they settled down for the night, Annie especially. From the corner came…..
“Havier, you said that any of us could faint.â€
“Yes, Annie, I did. Why do you ask?â€
“Oh, I was just doing more research in my head about how far each of us would fall. Some of us………………………..
“ANNIE.â€
“Okay!â€
“Before you close your eyes I just want to say how proud we are of you. We realize how upsetting it must have been but most important was how you looked after one another. You may get upset with each other from time to time but when the chips fall all of that is put aside and you become a family looking out for one another.†TC said.
“I always knew we had a special bond but today showed me how special. Thanks everyone for being there for me.â€
“We always will be.â€
“Annie, that big girl job I gave you…….great job.â€
“Oh Joseph, that means a lot. Being a big girl makes you think more and I am never going to tell my age again. I want to grow up smart like TC.†Annie added.
“Good Night Little Onesâ€
“Night TC and Havierâ€
Hi everyone. We hope you enjoyed reading about our latest adventure. We will keep you updated on our new digs. We learned a lot about life on this adventure and how it can change so fast. That is why it is so important to let those you love know that you are there for them. Stay safe and be kind to one another and to others.
Until next time…..
Baby, Joseph, TC, Havier and Little Annie

Just a reminder about our new project this year. If you know someone who is having a birthday, hasn’t been feeling well or feeling alone, etc. and you want to brighten their day, send along a card from us. We certainly would love to send one out to them. Just drop a note with the person’s name, mailing address and the
occasion for wanting it sent to
Storiesfromthebarn2@gmail.com