“What’s wrong Annie?” Baby asked as he could see she was a little upset.

“Nothing!” Annie said as she walked away.

“Wait Annie, where are you going?

“I want to by myself.” Annie replied in a low voice.

“Does she have a bee in her bonnet, Baby?” Joseph asked

“Not sure what’s up with her. She was fine until………oh I get it!”

“What?” Joseph wanted to know.

“It’s about the new harness. Remember, Annie was thinking that it was for her.”

“I do now. I don't see why she’s so upset. I needed a new one for a long time.”

“I know Joseph, but Annie is a girl, remember?”

“Oh, I forgot for a moment.”

“Okay Joseph, some may believe you but I don't.” Baby answered with a smile as he left to find Annie.

Joseph decided that he would finish his hay first and then catch up with Baby.                             

Only a few minutes had passed, but for Baby it seemed longer because he wasn't having any luck in finding her. He was also hoping that she would be alright.

“Have you seen Annie, Scout?”

“No Baby, not since this morning at breakfast.”

Baby stood for a minute thinking about where she might have gone and then……….Oh no! she wouldn't go to the big tree by herself! She wouldn't be that silly would she? Baby thought but then, it was Annie.

“TC!!! TC!!!! I need help.” shouted Baby.

“Slow down Baby. I don't understand what you are trying to say. What has you so excited?” TC asked as she met up with him.

Baby took a big breathe and started telling TC what had happened.

“I want to go to the big tree TC, but I didn't want to go alone and get in trouble. I think Annie may be there.”

“You were right, Baby, not to go on your own and why do you think she may be there?

“I have looked everywhere!  Does that mean Annie is in trouble if she is there because she went by herself?”

“I think we better find her first and then deal with the rest, don't you agree?”

Baby looked at TC and nodded with approval.

“Have you found Annie yet?”  Scout asked as he came on the scene.

“No, but we haven't looked in the right places yet Scout.” TC replied.

“You're not saying what I think you are…..….the big tree?”

“That’s right. We were about to go there. Want to join us?” TC asked.

Before Scout could answer Joseph replied .“I want to go too.”

“Well, let’s all go.” TC added.

When Baby and Joseph arrived, they found Annie sitting under the big tree with Murphy. When she heard the noise behind her, she turned around to see everyone staring at her. Annie gave that look like only she can and said…..

“What!!!! Am I in trouble?”

“What do you think Annie?  I have been looking for you all day.” Baby said with a tone in his voice.

“I don't know about it being all day Baby” Joseph added.

“It seemed like all day to me when I couldn't find her.”

 “What did I do?” asked Annie.

“I think you know what you did Annie.” Baby answered.

“I know what I didn't get if that is what you are talking about.” Annie shouted.

Suddenly, TC stood up tall and said, “Okay everybody.          I think it is time to have a talk about what has happened. Come closer. Now, who would like to speak first? TC asked.

Neither Annie nor Baby spoke up.

“Okay then, I'll go first. I got a new harness and Annie thought it should be for her.” said Joseph.

“Well, it should be. I don't have one.” Annie replied.

“Is this what the problem is?” asked TC.

“Yes TC.  I think it is. Annie was happy and just being Annie until she saw that Joseph was getting the new harness.” answered Baby.

“You forget something didn't you Baby?”

“What’s that Joseph?”

“The part where Annie would get my old one.”

“That’s right! Do you remember hearing that TC?” Baby asked.

 “I do and that is usually what happens. If someone is the same size or even close, they get the hand me-downs. Scout and I both  had our share over the years, haven't we Scout?”

“Yep.”

“I still don't think I should wear something that Joseph had. I'm a girl.”

“Oh, Annie I think we all know by now that you are a girl.” Baby added

“I sure hope so.” answered Annie.

“Annie, what if the harness had belonged to another girl, would you wear it then?” TC asked.

“Nope”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to wear hand me downs.”

“Oh Annie, come closer. I have a story to tell you. I remember when I was your age and ready to have a harness. I was so excited that I was finally growing up but when I saw the harness, it was old, torn and certainly not shiny. Being a girl I didn’t want to wear it. I was like Joseph; I put my head in the corner and locked my legs…..

“Hey I thought I was the inventor of that?” Joseph spoke up.

Shhhhhhhhh!!!! Baby reminded Joseph.

“Sorry for interrupting TC.”

“You were Joseph because you did it in your special way the same as I did. Now, getting back to the story - I simply wanted nothing to do with the harness. I even made my belly bigger so they couldn’t get the strap fastened. After awhile though, I had to give in and let the owners fasten it. It was several days before I saw my harness again. I think I’ll leave the rest for later. Right now we better return to the barn.”

“TC, finish the story!!!” everyone shouted. Even Scout pretended not to know what was coming.

As they approached the barn they noticed a lot of activity.

“I wonder what is going on?” Baby said.

“I think we are about to find out” TC answered.

“Let’s see how Joseph is going to look in his new harness.” the owners were saying.

“Annie, where are you going?” asked Baby when he noticed that she was heading for the field.

“I’m not interested.”

“Oh, I think you should be Annie. Come and stand by me.” TC said.

With a little reluctance Annie made her way closer to TC and stood behind her with only her head showing. The owners were busy fussing over loosening and tightening the straps for Joseph.  Before long he was all decked out in his new digs.

“Oh Joseph what a handsome donkey you turned out to be.” TC commented.            

“Yes and Joseph now when we go to the shows you will be all polished up for the judges.” Baby added.

“I hope so and that way when I forget to turn when I should, the judges won’t notice.” said Joseph.

Everyone except Annie laughed as they knew that wouldn’t happen with the judges.

“What’s a judge?” asked Annie.

“Hallelujah!!! Annie is back being Annie and asking questions.” Baby shouted.

Annie looked around and knew what was coming next.

“Never mind, I know. You will tell me later maybe when TC finishes her story.”

Even though there were times Annie was a bit much, it was nice having her back.

“Okay, let’s see how this will fit Annie.” the owners remarked.

When Annie heard that she totally hid behind TC. She didn’t want to see what they had. The owners looked around and said.  “That’s funny she was here just a minute age.”

TC knew where she was and stepped aside so they could see her.

“TC what did you do that for!!!!!!”

“You will have to try it on.  Annie weren’t you listening to TC’s story?” Joseph added.

“Busted!” Baby yelled.

“I was listening Baby and Joseph.”

“Quiet Little ones.” TC said in a stern voice.

Annie closed her eyes as she felt the harness touch her back. What can I do, she thought, as the owners were trying to fasten the belly strap. Just then she got it……. Annie took a deep breath and made her belly 3 times its normal size. The owners pulled and pulled on the strap with no luck. TC then gave Annie the LOOK!!!!!.......Annie had to let her belly go back to normal size. She didn’t want TC to be upset with her.

“Guess she was listening to TC’s story after all.” remarked Baby.

“I told you I was……busted …right back at you Baby!!!! Annie yelled with her eyes still closed.

As the owners finished, everyone looked at one another saying Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

“WHAT!!!!!Annie shouted.

“Open your eyes and see for yourself.” Baby said.

 “I think I’ll pass.”

“You have got to open them sooner or later Annie. Why not sooner?” Baby replied.

“Annie, did you hear me?”

“Of course I heard you Baby but I would rather look later than sooner.”

“Then suit yourself Annie but you look pretty.”

“You are just saying that so I will open my eyes.”

“Even I agree.” Joseph added.

“Joseph.” Baby answered with wide eyes, not believing what he was hearing.

“Okay, I had one of my weak moments.”

“Maybe I do look pretty if Joseph said that.” Annie was thinking as she moved her body around to see how the harness felt.

“Okay Annie, on the count of three open your eyes.” Baby said.

Annie opened her eyes, lowering her head to have a look.

“WOW!!!! I got a new harness just like Joseph!” Annie shouted in joy.

“Shall we tell her now TC or wait?” Baby asked.

“There will be no better time than now.” TC thought before she said,   “Come closer everyone while I finish my story. Just like you Annie, when I saw my harness the next time it looked new just like yours. The owners had polished it, fixed the holes and put some shiny stars on. It looked pretty and after seeing it I didn’t care if it was a hand me down. It was min now and I was going to wear it proudly. Now you have heard the rest of the story.”

Annie stood for a second looking at her harness and TC.

“This is Joseph’s old one, TC?” Annie asked.

“Yes, Annie it is.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore if it was Joseph’s. It’s pretty now and I like those shiny stars. It belongs to me and maybe one day when I see the judges………… I still don’t know what judges are.” Annie said.

“Before we tell you about the judges there is still the matter of you going to the big tree on your own. No matter how upset you may, get or sad, always stay close to the barn and talk to one of us about what is bothering you. The big tree is where you go only when you are with Scout or me. Do you understand Annie?” TC said.

“I do TC. Sorry that I went there and made everyone worry.” Annie said as she looked at the ground.

Annie did find out what judges were before the evening arrived and the birds had slipped away to their beds for the night.

“What a day this has been Scout.” TC said.

“Life is never dull with youngsters around.” Scout added with a smile.

From the small barn came……………..

“TC, can you tell Annie that her harness will be alright and she doesn’t have to sleep with it.” Baby yelled.

“Looks like it has gone from a hand me down to a treasure, wouldn’t you say Scout?”

“Certainly would.”

“Your harness will be okay Annie.”

“Are you sure TC?”

“Yes Annie.  Good Night Little Ones.”

“Night TC and Scout.”  

Hi everyone. We certainly hope you enjoyed the conclusion to our story. We learned that there is nothing wrong with having hand me downs to wear. They may have belonged to someone else but you can make them your own. Also, we are still working on interrupting when someone is talking. We will get it right one day. Plus, there are places that we shouldn’t go alone. There is always someone who cares what happens to us like Baby did for Annie. Next month we will tell you about The Holidays.      See you then.    

Baby, Scout, Joseph, Little Annie and TC