A large flock of geese, preparing for their flight south, broke the silence of the morning, as they passed over the barn. Annie, not being familiar with the noise, decided to wake everyone up.

“Annie, why did you to do that?” asked Joseph who wasn’t in the best of moods.

“Do what!!! What did I do?”

“You just woke everyone up.” Baby said

“I didn’t do anything wrong Baby. We have to get up anyway don’t we?”

Baby couldn’t say anything except shake his head.

“Oh Joseph, why do you have to go?”

“What are you saying Baby?  I am not going any where.”

“Do you know something that I don’t Joseph? The last thing we were told last night was that you were going to he Windsor Ex. Remember?”

Hearing that, Joseph felt as if his whole world crashed.

“OH NO this can’t be!!!!” Joseph kept saying over and over.

“Sorry to burst your bubble but it’s true and I am left here to babysit the girl!”

Just then Annie came running into the barn so excited that she ran into the wall.

“You should see all the stuff outside!” Annie said

“When any of us go to a show Annie, the owners have to make sure they have everything we may need, even mineral oil.” Scout replied

“What’s that Scout?” asked Annie

“Just in case we colic.”

“Colic?” Annie said with a confused look on her face.

Baby knew there was another question coming but just then the owners came through the big doors saying that everything was ready and Joseph’s bath was the last chore to do.

“Why does Joseph need a bath Baby?” asked Annie

“No one wants to pat us when we are all covered in mud and dirt like Joseph is.”

“Joseph wasn’t dirty this morning Baby.” Annie answered

“I know, but Joseph thought if he was dirty enough the owners would leave him home.”

“Guess it didn’t work Baby. He is still getting a bath.”

“Yep, Joseph’s still going and I’m still babysitting.”

“Are you my sitter Baby? I sure hope so. We are going to have a lot of fun.”

“That’s what I am afraid of.” Baby answered as he left to check on Joseph.

“I wish I was going with you Joseph.” said Baby

“Me too.”

“Baby, this is the first time either of us has gone alone to a show. ”

“Yes, Joseph I know. I wish my asthma hadn’t acted up at the spring show and I could have gone this time. I understand, even though I am disappointed. You know I’ll be thinking about you.”

“I know, but it won’t be the same.” Joseph said in a low voice.

As baby walked away he knew Joseph would need some time to absorb the fact that he was still going.

“Hurry everyone, Joseph is leaving the barn.  Hurry!!!!! Annie yelled

“Slow down Little One before you hurt yourself.” TC said as she came around the corner.

“We can’t let Joseph go without saying good-bye.” Annie belted out.

“We won’t Annie.” TC told her as Baby and Scout arrived.

“See you when you get back Joseph and we all hope that you do well.” TC said

“WOW Joseph!! You look so handsome all cleaned up.” Scout added.

“I wonder if there is another way to get out of this.” Joseph thought as he started towards the trailer. Moments later he got an idea. He locked his legs so he couldn’t be moved half way up the ramp.

No matter how much pushing the owners did Joseph stayed in the same place. Baby could see by the look on his face that he was pleased with his action. Baby tried everything he knew to get him to move. Nothing worked. Even the owners were wondering what to do next when came……….

“Okay Joseph, the next time I’m going and you’ll be left here babysitting.” yelled Baby

Hearing that, Joseph turned his body a tiny bit to say something. It was just enough to unlock his legs and seeing this, the owners took advantage of the moment, giving him a big push onto the sawdust.

“How can this be HAPPENING? My legs are locked!!!!!!!” Joseph yelled

“Well, they are now but when you were going to say something to me you unlocked them.” Baby shouted

“That wasn’t fair Babyyyyyyyyyyyy.” Joseph yelled as he slipped into the trailer on his bum.

“Nice work Baby.” TC said as she looked at Scout.

 “Sawdust on the rubber mat.”

“Works every time, doesn’t it TC?” Scout remarked.

“It certainly does.” TC smiled

“I lost again.” Joseph thought as the doors closed. As the trailer disappeared down the road, all that remained visible were Joseph’s ears.

“I am giving Joseph a new name.” Baby said

“What that?” Scout wanted to know

“Radar.”

“Why Radar? He already has a name.” Annie added

“You say that because his ears go back and forth?” TC asked

“Yep.   He will be known as Joseph  - AKA Radar with the Big Ears. How’s that Annie?” Baby asked

“I like it!  I can’t wait for him to come home so I can tell him about his new name. When is he coming back?”

“Three sleeps.” Baby replied

“THAT  LONG??!!!” Annie yelled

“Baby, it doesn’t matter what answer you give Annie she is always going to have another one. It’s those terrible twos you know. Enjoy babysitting.” TC added as she left.

Life at the barn soon returned to normal. TC and Scout went about their day.

“Annie, do you want to have a game of Hide and Seek?” Baby asked

“Sure.”

“Okay, but first come with me to get a drink before we start the game.” Baby said as he turned to look at Annie.

“Where has she gone now?” Baby thought to himself as he started looking for her.

“ANNIE!!!!!” Baby shouted

Annie had………………………

Meanwhile at the Ex -

Joseph had arrived. The trip hadn’t been too bad.  Joseph started listening to all different noises coming from outside the trailer. Noises he was unsure of. There were bells, bangs and booms.

“I don’t like this the least little bit.”

Just then, the owners opened the doors and Joseph was ready to go.  As they started walking towards the barn, he stopped suddenly. The owners didn’t think anything of it because Donkeys are very much aware of their surroundings. Joseph had another thought going on in his mind.

“This isn’t where we were in the spring show. Where am I going?? Joseph looked inside……… Back at the barn…………

Meanwhile at the Barn -

“Baby what’s wrong?” Scout asked as he watched Baby’s facial expressions.

Baby didn’t want to answer. He was supposed to be the sitter and he couldn’t find Annie.

“Nothing.”

“Baby, I wasn’t born last night and I know when something is wrong.” Scout added with a stern voice.

“I lost Annie.”

“Oh, she’s playing games with you Baby because you are the sitter. Trust me she’s around.”

After Scout left Baby continued in his quest to find Annie. He had the idea to look someplace else. Sure enough, there was Annie.

“What are you doing here under the big tree?  You know we aren’t allowed to come here by ourselves.”  Baby said with relief in his voice but at the same time upset with her.

“Playing hide and seek. I’m hiding and you’re seeking.” Annie answered with a big smile on her face.

“Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!” was all Baby could say as he pointed her in the direction of the barn………

At the Ex -

“I can’t believe it! I am going in with the cows and oxen!!!!!!! I’m a donkey! Do you see bells on me? And, I have big ears!!!!!!!”       Joseph muttered under his breath.

At the very end of the barn Joseph was introduced to his stall.

“What, I’m in the middle of the floor on display!?! No! No! Put me in the corner. I can’t stay here.” Joseph thought as he refused to go into the stall. This brought attention to the situation.

“Let’s see if we can find another place for him.”

“That sounds good to me.” Joseph thought

Joseph did like it the second stall and settled down for the night.

Night came upon the barn as well. Baby closed his eyes. He couldn’t help but wonder  what Annie would be up to tomorrow. Morning came and once again, the geese flew overhead. This time, Annie knew what it was and decided to go back to sleep.

Morning came to the Ex as well-

Joseph awoke to the sound of bells. Other minis had arrived during the night so he wasn’t alone but he was still the only one there with big ears.

“Hi! My name is Rocket, what’s yours?”

“Joseph.”

“Isn’t this exciting?” Rocket answered

“I suppose it would be  if the cows and oxen didn’t have those bells on. Why do they wear them in the first place?  Do you know?”

“Sorry, Joseph,  I don’t know but you will get used to it.”

“Yea, when I am on my way home.” was Joseph’s answer

Everyone arrived almost at the same time. That meant only one thing………………….

Back at the barn -

“Are you still my sitter Baby?”

“Yes Annie.”

“Well then, what are we doing today?”  Annie wanted to know.

“There will not be a replay of yesterday, I do know that.”

“Okay Baby, I’ll stay away from the big tree.”

Baby then joined TC and Scout in a chat when……………..

At the Ex-  

Joseph heard someone say,  “It’s show time!”

“Now it starts.” Joseph said.

“Oh, come on Joseph, it is going to be lots of fun and maybe we will get a ribbon.” Rocket replied.

“You are dreaming, aren’t you?”

The next few minutes were so busy that before Joseph knew it he was in the ring…………..

At the barn -

“Groom me Baby. Groom me.” Annie said.

“WHAT! You want me to do what??” Baby yelled.

“You know, groom me, make me look pretty.”

“Annie, I don’t think so.” Baby answered.

“Why?  You are my sitter aren’t you?”

“I am, but that doesn’t mean that I have to be your groomer.”

“I’ll tell Joseph when he comes back.”

“Annie, are you being bad?” asked TC.

“No, I just want to be groomed.”

“What did I hear you say about telling Joseph?”

“Nothing.”

“Annie, you know what you said and it wasn’t nice to say that to Baby. Telling someone that you are going to tell on them when they won’t do what you want is certainly not a nice thing to do.”

“Sorry Baby.  I won’t tell Joseph but I still would like to get groomed.”

“Okay, Annie.   I will this time but it is not because you would tell Joseph. I am doing it because I want to.”

With that the grooming began………..

At the Ex

The Ringmaster announced that he wanted to see a working trot.

“Oh, here we go.  Why couldn’t he say all walk instead?  Now I’ve got to work.”  Joseph mumbled

Before long the ribbons were given out and guess who was

Last?……….

Meanwhile back at the barn -

Things were going quite smoothly. Annie was still being herself……..

At the Ex -

The formal turn-out was about to begin. The owners in this class had to dress up to the nines.

“Don’t you think our owners look nice Joseph?” Rocket said

“Yep, they do clean up pretty good.” Joseph said.

At the barn-

“Annie, what are you doing with Joseph’s halter and things?”

“Just trying them on for size.”

“They are too big for you.”

“I know, but I can still try it on can’t I?”

“Annie, I am going to get TC.”

“Okay!!!!!”   Annie said as she started putting things away.

“Thank goodness my babysitter days are almost over.” Baby mumbled

At the Ex -

The Ex was coming to a close but not before it was Joseph’s time to shine…….In sixth place…….Joseph. The owner patted him on the side of his neck saying what a good job he did.

“Hmmmmm.  I think it was your suit not my trotting that got the ribbon.” Joseph thought

It was time to say good-bye for another season when Joseph turned around and there was Baby.

“What are you doing here Baby?” Joseph shouted.

“I’m not Baby.” was the answer.

“Then who are you?” Joseph wanted to know.

“I’m Baby’s brother, Robin.”

“Oh, wait until I tell Baby you were here!”

“Tell him I missed seeing him, would you?”

“Not a problem. I’ll make sure Baby gets the message.”

After Robin left Joseph felt sad that Baby wasn’t there.

At the barn -

The barn was getting ready for Joseph’s return.

“What should I wear Baby?”

“ANNIE.”

“Just kidding, but I will be glad to see Joseph.”

“We all will.”

“Hurry everyone. The truck is coming! Joseph is coming home!!!!  shouted Annie.

The doors opened and there stood Joseph with a ribbon hanging from his halter.

“Look everyone! Radar did it! He has a ribbon!” shouted Annie.

“Radar?” Joseph answered with a puzzled look.

“Trust me, it’s a long story but we will tell you later.” Baby added

After things had settled down, everyone formed a circle to hear about Joseph’s adventure. He told about all the children who came to visit, patting him and wanting him to make that funny noise; sharing his hay when Rocket was hungry. Joseph talked well into the evening. After everyone had gone to sleep it was then that Joseph told Baby about Robin.

“I am sorry you weren’t there to see him Baby.”

“It’s alright Joseph, there will be another time and you brought me the message. That’s all I need for now.”

Joseph curled up in his stall knowing there would be no bells tonight. He had done a good job. Baby went to sleep knowing that his brother was alright.

Hi everyone! This is our story for now. Hope you enjoyed reading about our adventure. We learned a lot of things this time and by reading the story you will know what they are. Next time …. Memory Lane. See you then!

Baby, Joseph, Scout and Little Annie