THE HOLIDAYS

The communicating of the Pleasants searching for food broke the silence of the morning.

Annie had been awake for awhile. She didn't want to wake anybody but lying still wasn't in her makeup so she decided to go exploring while the others slept.

“Stay out of trouble” Baby whispered.

“You are awake Baby.”

“Yes and no. I am not ready to get up yet.”

“Okay, I'll be good Baby.” Annie answered as she tiptoed quietly out of the barn.

“Okay, do I believe that or not?” Baby asked himself as he recalled what Annie had said.

Joseph was dreaming as usual. His legs were like poetry in motion. Baby couldn't help but wonder what kind of dream he was having.

The quietness of the barn made Baby decide to close his eyes for a few more minutes when……………………….

“WAKE-UP!!! WAKE-UP!!!! EVERYONE, there is a stranger outside the barn…WAKE-UP!!”  Annie kept yelling as she ran around.   “The stranger is really funny looking,       I don't know who it is!!!!”

Joseph jumped to his feet still in his dream. He looked around with a strange look on his face.

“Where are my apples and carrots?” Joseph shouted.

“Am I the only one who has both feet on the ground this morning” Baby added as he shook his head.

“I am not kidding; there is a stranger outside the barn. I saw it with my own eyes.  I swear I did. I am not making it up.” Annie said trying to convince everyone.

“You ate my apples and carrots.” Joseph said to Baby.

“What are you talking about Joseph?  I don't have any carrots or apples. You were dreaming before Annie woke you up.

“DREAMING!!!! You're telling me that those carrots and apples weren't real!!!!!”

“That’s actually right Joseph.”

“”You shouldn't have got me up until I had  a bite or two from the apple at least.”

“I didn't wake you, Annie did.”

“Oh, I should have known better than to blame you Baby…sorry. What has she got herself into now and where is she?”

“Something about a stranger outside the barn and she has gone to tell TC.”

Just as Baby finished his sentence she could hear Annie telling TC.

“I really did TC.”

“Okay, Annie I think we better go and investigate this stranger.” TC answered as they started making their way towards the door.

“Who is it?” Joseph asked Baby.

“Not sure myself who it is.”

“Then we better go with TC and find out, don't you think Baby?”

“Let’s go Joseph and see what she is talking about.”

As everyone approached the door Annie started to get closer and closer to TC. Baby came up behind Annie…………BOOOOOOO!

Annie was air born in seconds. When she touched down on all fours again, she looked at Baby.

“That wasn't very nice at all.”

Baby could see by the expression on Annie’s face that she was afraid.

“Sorry Annie.”

“All right Annie, show us where the stranger is.” TC stated.

‘Who is it?  That is what I want to know.” Joseph said.

Annie peeked around the door and within seconds jumped back behind TC.

“It is still there.’ Annie said in a small voice.

“TC, can I take a look?” Baby asked.

“Sure, go ahead Baby.”

Baby looked out the door, shook his head and started laughing.

“Baby, it’s not funny.” Annie yelled.

“Yes it is Annie. It is a big shiny ornament.

“No it isn't!  Didn't you see the stranger out there?”

“Annie, the only thing I saw was my own reflection in the ornament.”

“No Baby, you don't look like that.”

Just then Joseph had a look and he too started laughing over what he saw.

“I know you had to see the stranger Joseph, didn't you?”

“Nope, all I saw was my big funny ears.”

“Come Annie, let me show you what you saw. It is your reflection in the shiny ornament. That is what you saw earlier. Take a look.”  TC said as she pushed Annie gently to the door.

Annie turned around looking at TC.  “You are telling me that is me TC?”

“Yes, Annie.”

“I don't really look like that do I?”

“You don't Annie but when you look at yourself in the ornament you look different, Let me show you.” TC said as she looked at herself.

“Oh, TC you look so funny.”

“That is exactly what we have been trying to tell you Annie.”

 “What is it doing here in the first place?” Annie wanted to know.

“Oh, don't you know it’s Christmas?”

“Christmas?!” Annie replied with wonderment.

Just then Scout came to join them.

“Have I missed anything?” asked Scout.

“Where have you been Scout?” asked Baby.

 “Sleeping.”

“SLEEPING!!” yelled Joseph.

“Didn’t you know that the sky could fall and Scout wouldn’t hear a thing?” TC replied.

“Now TC, I’m not that bad, but what have I missed?”

“Just Christmas Scout.” Annie answered.

“I didn’t sleep that long that I missed Christmas?”

“No Scout. Annie just had a run-in with that big shiny ornament that the owners hang over the front door at Christmas.” Baby replied.

“Oh, I bet it was interesting!”

“To say the least.” TC answered Scout with a smile.

“I don’t remember much of Christmas.” Annie replied.

“That’s because last year was your first Christmas and you were small.” Joseph added.

“Do you remember anything at all Annie?” Baby asked.

Before Annie could answer TC said,  “Little Ones! Can I ask you, Annie, to wait just a minute before answering Baby.   I do have something that I think needs to be said. Annie, I am very pleased with you for coming back in the barn when you were not sure of what was on the other side of the doors. It was the right thing to do. I mean this for all of us. If we find ourselves in a situation that doesn’t feel right, go and find someone you know who can help. This time it wasn’t a stranger but could have been. It is important to stay safe. Does everyone understand?”

 “Yes TC, we do and we will remember.” Baby answered for everyone.

Minutes later Annie ran up to Baby and Joseph who were finishing their breakfast.

“Want to hang out for awhile?  Maybe we could play in the snow?”

“Okay great! I need a snow bath.” Baby replied.

“I’ll hang out but you can forget the bath.” Joseph answered.

A few minutes later they were off to have some snow fun.

“Look, I am making tracks in the snow. I think I’ll put my face in the snow and see if I can make some funny faces.”

 “Mmmmm, that tastes good.”

“What’s that Annie?” Baby wanted to know.

“The snow.”

“I don’t think that is a good idea to eat the snow.”

“Why?”

“Well, snow sometimes isn’t very clean.”

“It looks clean to me.”

“You haven’t seen yellow snow yet” Joseph added.

“What’s that?”

“Joseph!!!!! Listen Annie the best thing to do is not to eat the snow period. That way you won’t have to worry about the yellow snow. You still can have a snow bath though.” Baby said as he found a spot where he could roll around and refresh his fur.                                           

“That looks fun Baby. I think I will do it too. Come on Joseph and join us.”

“I am going to stay being a spectator.”

“Snow’s not like water is for a bath Joseph.”

“That’s okay, I am still going to sit this one out.”

The barn was alive with a lot of activities when they arrived back from their fun in the snow. Shiny stuff was everywhere.

“Oh, we have been invaded with Christmas.” Joseph said.

Annie looked around with big eyes.

“I can’t believe that I don’t remember any of this from last year.”

Just then, curiosity got the better of Annie as she wanted to know what was in the box. She stuck her nose in to see what was there.

“WOW!!!! Am I ever glad I didn’t see this box this morning. There are hundreds of me in here.”

Joseph also took a look at all the shiny ornaments in the box.

“I am glad you didn’t because the way you were jumping this morning, this box would have put you into next week.”

“How could I get myself into next week Joseph?”

“Don’t worry Annie, that is another one of Joseph’s sayings.” Baby added.

“Where are all the ornaments going Scout?”

“They will be everywhere for everyone to see when they come for a visit over the holidays.”

“We have company coming for real Scout? Where are they going to sleep and can we be friends with them?”

“No, Annie, they won’t be staying here, they will just visit for a few minutes and yes you can be friends with them. They won’t be strangers. They are the friends of our owners.”

“Oh, it is going to be so much fun.” Annie answered as she left to do some more playing when……………

  “Help! Help me somebody!” could be heard throughout the barn.

Baby and Joseph heard the call for help. When they arrived on the scene, there was Annie on the floor with a tree on top of her.

“Can someone please get me out of here?”

“How did you get under the tree Annie?” Baby asked.

“I didn’t see it when I ran around the corner.”

“Guess it saw you.” Joseph added as he thought how funny the whole thing looked.

“Say hello to the Christmas tree Annie.” Baby said as he and Joseph pushed the tree off to the side so she could get up.

“Is anyone going to be upset with me for knocking the tree down?”

“No, I don’t think so Annie. The tree was not dressed up yet.”

“Dressed up….oh I get it now…all those ornaments in the box.”

The owners placed the tree back in its stand, put it in the corner out of the way and decorated it with the ornaments.

“Wow!! That is so pretty.” Annie said as she stared at it.

 Supper arrived but Annie thought it was rather strange as it was coming through the front doors and not out of the feed bin.

“What is that smell?” asked Annie.

Everyone started making their way to their feeding bowls. As Scout made his way he started licking his lips in anticipation.

“It’s our supper.”

“Supper doesn’t smell like that.”

“This is our Christmas supper Annie.” Joseph replied.

Baby looked up from his supper and noticed that Annie was just staring at her bowl.

“Annie, are you going to eat your supper?”

“Nope.”

“Didn’t you even want to try it?”

 “I don’t like the smell and I am not going to eat it.”

“Annie, it is really good, believe me and we only get it at Christmas for a couple of days. Try trusting me Annie, it is really good.”

“You told me not to eat the snow. It looked clean and now you are telling to me eat this which smells awful. I don’t understand.”

“Annie, this is one time you are going to have to put your trust in Baby because he is right. Our owners make this for us every Christmas and I have had it for as long as I can remember. They put oats, apples, carrots, raisin and some other stuff that is good for us. It is called Mash. They want us to be a part of Christmas too.” TC told Annie.

“They really make it for us so we can be a part of Christmas?”

“Yes Annie, they do.” TC added as she went back to her food bowl. She was hoping that Annie would try it.

“Annie, did you eat your supper?” asked Joseph,

“Is there any more?” Annie wanted to know.

“I guess I won’t be getting any leftovers this time.”

“Joseph, sometimes I don’t know about you, asking Annie if she is going to finish her supper.” Baby said.

“Can’t blame a donkey for trying now, can you?”

“Guess not.”

“Scout, you have to come and see this. We have another non- raisin eater.”

Scout and TC stood looking at the raisins in Annie’s bowl. She had eaten everything else and put the raisins aside.

“TC, remember when Missy used to do the same thing with her raisins?”

“I sure do Scout.  I wish she was here to see that we have another one just like her.”

“What’s wrong with that? I don’t like those things called raisins.”

“It is alright Annie.  We were just remembering old times. You did a good job with your supper and, yes, there is another serving tomorrow.”

“For supper I hope. Baby was right, it was so good and the smell wasn’t that bad after all.”

The clouds were gathering over the mountains, struggling with the weight they were carrying. It was going to snow tonight.

Everyone settled down for a good sleep. Well, all except Annie. She was still pretty excited over the events of the day. Suddenly she gave Baby a gentle poke in his side.

“What was that for Annie?”

“I just wanted to see if you were asleep yet and ask you if you think TC would mind if I stayed up to see our owners come to see if we really talk.”

“Annie, I thought you didn’t remember anything from last Christmas.”

“I did remember that.”

Annie poked Baby again.

“Did you remember something else Annie?”

 “Nope, I just wanted to say I love everyone here in the barn.” “Hear that Joseph?”

“Yep, it must be a girl thing.”

“Oh Joseph!!”

TC could hear what was being said and called them over to sleep in the big barn with her and Scout since it was Christmas.

“Good night Little Ones.”

“Good night TC and Scout.”

“Everything is good. I got my carrots and apples after all.” Joseph added with a sleepy voice.

In the days that followed, family and friends visited the barn with lots of treats and, true to form, Annie was making friends with everyone outside the barn. She knew it was alright because they were friends of the owners - not strangers.

Hi everyone! We hope you enjoyed hearing about what happened at our barn during the holidays. We learned that things don’t always appear as they should, especially when it comes to the Christmas ornaments. Try it sometime and see what you look like. The most important lesson of all was learning that it is always best to find someone when you are not sure of something or someone, like Annie did.

Next time our story will be Identity Crisis. See you then and remember play and stay safe.

 Baby Joseph, Scout, TC and Little Annie