A rabbit hopped past Scout’s window trying to keep his belly free from the snow. Scout was watching, wondering where his destination was going to take him.  His home, Scout hoped, as Mother Nature had dropped a lot of snow during the night. Baby had awakened early as well.
“Scout, what’s out there that has captured your attention?”
“Oh, good morning Baby.  I was just watching a rabbit hopping through the snow.”

Baby stood alongside Scout looking out.
“Wow!  I’d say it snowed last night!   I can’t wait to get out

and play.”

“It will be a while before that happens.”
“Why, Scout?”

“The doors are shut. The owners knew last night by the clouds that it was going to be a stormy night.”
“Did you?” Baby asked Scout.
“Oh yes.  My bones have been aching for the last couple of days.”
“Sorry to hear that the weather is in your bones. Is there anything I can do for you Scout?”
“Thanks Baby but I am all right. It just takes me a few more

Minutes to get going.”

 “Okay, then I am going to check out the donkeys. Keep an eye on the rabbit for me. I hope you will both be all right.”
“We will be, Baby.”

Joseph and Annie had been over by the water buckets when

Baby had seen them last.

“Hello, anyone here?” Baby yelled
“I wonder where they have disappeared. They can’t get outside.”   Baby though as he made his way through the barn. Suddenly he stopped, perking up his ears.
“What is that sound?”  Baby thought as he made his way

towards it.

 “Oh, this is where you are. What are you doing? Baby asked

Joseph and Annie.

 “Helping Annie learn to bray.” Joseph answered.
“She’s been braying. What else does she have to learn Joseph?”
“Baby, braying is an art all in itself.”
“AN ART!!  Oh Joseph, I have been listening to you for years and the same sounds come out every time you open your mouth. What’s the art in that?”  Baby said with a puzzled look.
Annie looked at Joseph.

“Baby’s joking isn’t he? He can’t be serious, is he Joseph?
“Afraid so, Annie.”

‘Then we are just going to have to show him what we are doing. Can we get back to our lesson Joseph?”
“We can for a few minutes and then I think we have done

enough for now Annie.”

“Can I give whatever you are teaching Annie a try?” Baby

asked Joseph.

“Afraid not Baby.  This is a lesson for Annie. You can watch

if you want.”

 “If that is all I can do, then watch I will.”
“You have to be quiet though.”
“Not a problem.”

“Okay Annie, are you ready to continue?”
“Am I ever!!!!!’

“Let’s pick up where we left off shall we. Open your mouth, breathe in - better yet, watch me.” Joseph told Annie as he opened his mouth to a point and closed it again.
“You can’t go beyond that point because if you do your pipes

will sound flat.”

Baby wanted to ask Joseph about the pipes but decided against it as Joseph had told him to be quiet.
Meanwhile, Annie positioned her feet and shoulder as Joseph had shown her, opened her mouth…………..squeak,squeak

came out.

 “I can’t get my pipes around that one Joseph.”
“You have to get your upper lip pointed and your tongue has to come out just a bit past your teeth. That is where the problem is, your tongue isn’t out far enough. Let’s try again.

“Wow!  It all has to do with air, lips, tongue and pipes.” Baby thought to himself as he watched Annie one more time.
“Annie, practice those moves and we will try again later.”
“Okay, Joseph” Annie yelled as she left to play.
“I thought all you had to do was open your mouth and the

sound came out, Joseph?”

‘There you go Baby, you learned something new.”
“I sure did. What are you going to do now Joseph?”
‘I think I’ll just catch some zzz’s for a while.”
“In that case, I think I’ll just hang out.” Baby told Joseph.

“I wonder where I can go?”   Baby thought to himself as he walked around in what looked like a circle. Baby was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn’t hear TC approaching.
“Sorry Baby I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“That’s all right, TC.”

 “Is everything all right Baby? You seem so lost in your thoughts”
“I was TC but would it be rude to continue on with my thoughts.”
“No, not at all. I’ll see you later Baby.”  TC said wonderingly.
 Joseph woke up to find that he was alone…..not for long as Annie came bouncing in with Scout.
“Is Baby here with you Joseph?” Annie asked
“No I was sleeping and Baby left saying that he was going to

hang out for a bit.”

 “Where?”
“Sorry, he didn’t say.” Joseph replied.
“No one has seen him for a while.” Scout added.
“I’m right here.  I was checking out the field to see if anything had changed after the snow fell.”  Baby said as he

walked towards them.

“Oh really.   I thought the doors were shut.” Joseph said as he

looked at Baby.

 “They were, Joseph, but they are open now. Everyone was busy doing their own thing so I decided to do something on

my own.”

“Now can we do something together?” Annie asked
“That sounds like a good idea but what can we do?” Baby asked.
“We can go and help TC clean up the hay.”
“How are we going to do that and where are we going to put

it?” asked Baby.

Joseph thought for a minute then said,
“Hello!!!We are going to eat it and store it in our bellies. You have returned in body Baby but you better go back and get

Your mind.” Joseph replied.

“Guess that’s a pretty silly answer.”
A few minutes later everyone was eating together, cleaning

up the hay.

“Where did all this hay come from?” asked Annie
“See that door at the top of the barn”
“I do, Scout.”

 “Well, the owners opened it and pushed out the hay.”
“Why would they do that when we already had hay?”
“Two reasons Annie, either the bale broke open and easier to push it out here or they thought it would be nice to give us a

treat.” Scout replied.

As Annie looked around for more, she said,
“Whatever the reason it sure was good.”
”Annie, before you take off it would be a good time to

practice a bit more.” Joseph said.

“What are we going to do?”
“Bray and run.”

“Oh Joseph, I am so excited for this one. It is sooooo cool.”
“Then let’s get started. I want you to run to the fence; on the way back bray as hard as you can. Make sure you do things in the right order. Go ahead and give it a try.”
Annie ran as fast as she could to reach the fence. I have to do this right, Annie thought to herself, as she tried to remember everything starting with a deep breath first. Trying to run as she brayed her heart out wasn’t easy and when she reached

Joseph she heard,  “Annie, you were to run and bray together. You did a good job ending and getting rid of that left over air.

Let’s give it one more go.”

Annie tried but couldn’t get it.
“Baby can be our audience and we will do it together. Do you

mind Baby?” Joseph asked.

“I guess not but I would rather be running too.” Baby answered.
As Baby watched Annie and Joseph coming towards him, he could hear the bray and Joseph’s belly was like an accordion going in and out in rhythm. Annie, on the other hand, was doing her very best. After all she is just learning.
“Annie, you did a great job!”

 “Thanks Baby.  I am going to be so awesome when I get

everything working together.”

 “I have to go. I need the bathroom.
“Okay Baby see you later.” Annie yelled.
As Baby made his way from the barn he was thinking that he had to find the right place.
The shadows of the evening were creeping over the barn

when Baby strolled back.

“What happened to you Baby?  Using the bathroom doesn’t take that long. Even I know that or did you find something to get into?” Joseph asked as he checked out Baby.
“I was just hanging out and didn’t realize how late it was.

Tim for supper, isn’t it?”

Joseph stared back at Baby.  “Are you feeling alright?”

“Never better Joseph, why do you ask?”
“Well, it is like this. I may have been born at night but it wasn’t last night. You have been acting a little strange, in my

books Baby.”

Oh!?  How so Joseph?.”

 “Just things and……”but before Joseph could finish Annie

came tip toeing in.

“Let’s go for supper first and on the way you can show me

the walk.”

It didn’t take long for Annie to jump on that. She ran ahead of the others, stopped and started walking all girly-like.
“Annie, I don’t think there is anything I have to teach you about your walk. You are bang on.”
“I would like to see that again. Why don’t you show us in the morning after breakfast, Annie?  Everyone will be refreshed after a good night’s sleep. How does that sound, Joseph?”

Baby asked.

Joseph couldn’t quite put his finger on Baby’s mood. He decided to wait a while longer before asking any more questions.
“I guess we could do that. I’m a little tired anyway.” Joseph replied
“Sounds great! Good night everyone I need to get some

sleep.” Baby said.

“Have you forgotten something, Baby?” Joseph asked
“No.”
“Does supper mean anything?

 “Oh, I guess I am ahead of myself, Joseph.”
After supper Baby headed for sleep.
“Baby, aren’t you going the wrong way to sleep?” Joseph asked.
“No, I am going to curl up here in the corner.”
“You are really confusing me now.”
“Why, Joseph?”

 “You’re just acting funny, Baby.”
“I thought I was acting normal.”

“Good night Baby. See you in the morning.” was all Joseph said as he knew that no matter what he tried he wasn’t going

to find out any more.

It seemed like only a few minutes had passed when Joseph heard Annie shouting that breakfast was ready. She wanted to get started.  After the vote of confidence Baby had given her yesterday she felt ready for the day.
“Come on everyone,  let’s have breakfast. We have a big day, do Joseph and I. I have lessons to do.”
Annie danced around as she waited for the others when she

realized that Baby wasn’t there.

“Has anyone seen Baby?”

“Not since last night when he decided to sleep some place

else.” Joseph added.

“That is strange for him to be late for breakfast.” Annie added.
“Everything about him lately is strange. I’ll go and have a look for him.” Joseph said as he walked away.
“I don’t think that will be necessary, here I am and a good morning to you all.” Baby answered.
“Baby, where have you been and what have you done to yourself?” Joseph said as he shook his head
“I haven’t done anything. Why?”

 “You look funny.” Annie yelled
“Oh, that! I just groomed myself a bit.”
“A BIT!!!!!! Oh Baby it is more than a bit. Where are your forelocks which hang over your face? I can see your blue eyes!”  Joseph shouted.

“WHAT! Baby has blue eyes?!?  Now, that is a surprise to me. Maybe because I have never seen his eyes before.” Annie added
“I put some water from the bucket on my forelocks and pushed them back out of my eyes. Do you like it?”
“What did you do that for Baby?”
“I think I can better show you than trying to explain. Come with me out to the field.”
“This I want to see.” Joseph whispered.
Scout and TC were listening as they stood by the side of the barn.
“We should tag along Scout and check this out.”
“Let’s do it. I am interested as well.”
Reaching the field, Baby looked at everyone, saying
“Gather around.   I have something to show you. Yes, Joseph you might say that I have been acting a little strange, but I have been doing something on my own and now I want to show you all what I have done.”
Joseph looked at Scout and TC
“This I can’t wait to see.”
As Baby turned his back to everyone, Annie shouted
“You told me Baby that turning my back to anyone wasn’t a nice thing to do and now you are doing it to us!!!”
Baby turned back looking at Annie
“This isn’t the same Annie.   I am just preparing myself for what I have to do.”
“Okay then Baby, I forgive you.”
“Oh! I only hope that I can remember everything”, Baby said to himself as he turned around. He stood with his shoulders, back and head high. In the next few minutes Joseph had his answers as to why Baby was acting strange. Baby put everything he had into the song as he struggled with coordinating his breathing, tongue, lips, feet and moving his belly in and out as he sung his heart out for everyone to hear. The easiest part was at the end getting rid of the extra air. After Baby finished he took a bow and stood tall. He was ready for whatever was going to be said….good or bad. You could hear a pin drop and they stared at him. This made Baby

A little nervous…..

 “Well, what did you think?” asked Baby.
“Speechless, would be the word I would use.” replied Scout.
“Is that good or bad?”

Baby walked over to where Annie and Joseph were standing.
“What do you think Joseph? Do I make a good donkey?”
“Baby, you are a horse, not a donkey.”
“I know I am a horse but why can’t I be a donkey too?”
“We are different Baby, you know that. Is that why your forelocks are pushed back because donkeys don’t have

Anything on their faces?”

Baby lowered his head saying yes. TC looked at Scout “I had no training for this one.”

“Do your best TC.   I got your back but you better move fast before Baby’s feelings are hurt.”
“Come to me, Baby.   I want the rest of you to listen as well. There is a difference between horses and donkeys.  I think

You do know that, Baby.”

“I do, TC, but when I saw Joseph teaching all these cool things to Annie I wanted to learn what a donkey does. See, Annie didn’t know the colour of my eyes and if the forelocks

weren’t there she would have.”

“Your forelocks are what helps makes you who you are, just as braying does the same for donkeys. Besides, you bray, but because you are a horse there are different names like whinny, neigh, snort, grunt, blow and nicker.”
“Why can’t I make my stomach move like Joseph’s, TC?”
“It’s a donkey thing, Baby and even though I am a donkey, sometimes I don’t understand it. It just comes natural. Just like when someone gives you a treat by hand, you can stick out your neck and take it. With me I have to turn my head and take it sideways. Don’t understand that either, but it’s me.”
“That’s a good way of putting it Joseph. Is it easier to

understand now, Baby?”

“I guess so, but I still would like to learn some of the things Annie and Joseph do that are different from me instead of being the audience all the time.” Baby answered.
“There is nothing wrong with learning from each other as long as you know who you are. Learning is something that helps us understand one another and why we are difference in

some ways.”

“That would be fun Baby because I have always wanted to be able to do, as you call it, turn on a dime when you are working with the cart.” Joseph said.
“Sure, Joseph I would love to show you and maybe you could show me the foot work Annie was doing yesterday.”
“That was just Annie perfecting those “girly” moves, Baby.”
“Sorry, Baby, but if you were a girl then I would love to teach you to walk in what looks like high heels.” Annie added,

which made everyone laugh.

 “Before we go, there is just one thing I want to say. I am not sorry I tried to be a donkey and because I did I learned a lot. Maybe, as we learn the thing that make us different from each other, one day Joseph, maybe you can put on a show like I

did and be a horse.”

“2020”
“Joseph, that is ten years away!!” Annie yelled.
“Yep, and maybe by that time you would have forgotten.”
“JOSEPH!!!!” Annie and Baby yelled
together.

“Just kidding.”

 “In the meantime,  maybe we can put a band together and call ourselves “Two Donkeys and a Horse”.” Baby added.
“Oh good.   I like that and maybe we can perform at the EX

in the spring.”  Annie shouted.

“ANNIE!!!!”
“WHAT!!!!!”

“Settle down Little Ones. I just want to say that we are all different but the same in a lot of ways. I know you will have fun learning from one another. Now it is time to say good

night”.  TC said.

“Job well done, TC.”

“I think, in the days to come, we are going to need some ear plugs when the band gets going Scout.”
“Baby, where are you going to sleep tonight?” Joseph asked.
“Next to you and Annie, as always.”
“Can Scout and I join you?”
“We always have room for one more.” Baby said.
“That’s not the way you should have said that Baby. You should have said, We have room for more.” Annie said with a smile.
“Good night, Annie.”

“Can someone make sure I get up early? I have to exercise my pipes if I am going to be in a band.”
“ANNIE!”
“Just joking! Good night everyone”

Hi everyone, we hope you enjoyed our latest adventure. We learned that even though we want to learn about one another it is still important to be who we are.  We guess one could say, we are the same but different.

Until next time, when we tell you about…..
Well, let’s just say, you will have to pick up the Newsletter next month to see what happens at the barn.

See you then and Happy Easter everyone. Stay safe.

  Baby, Joseph, Scout, TC and Little Annie