Yooper
12-25-2008, 08:48 AM
GIFT OF THE OLD ONE
By Eunice Day, Washington ME
The young couple had made their usual hurried, pre-Christmas visit to
the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of
goats. The farm had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine which
topped the hill behind the farm, and through the years had become a talisman
to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside.
The old folks no longer showed their goats, for the years had taken
their toll, but they sold a little milk, and a few kids each year, and the
goats were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.
Crossly, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the
old folks. "Why do you not at least dispose of "The Old One". She is no
longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had either kids or milk
from her. You should cut corners and save where you can. Why do you keep
her anyway?" The old man looked down as his worn boot scuffed at the barn
floor
and his arm stole defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her to him
and rubbed her gently behind the ears. He replied softly, "We keep her
because of love. Only because of love."
Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a
Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through
the valley.
So it was, that because of the leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation
smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark
fall. None but the "Old One".
In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry
flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and
despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the
barn to save their beloved goats. But the flames were roaring now, and the
blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before
the fire's fury.
By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were
left, and the old man and his wife. They thanked those who had come to
their aid, and the old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon
his shoulders as he clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandanna.
Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on
this eve of Christmas. Let us, therefore, climb the hill to the old pine
where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our
home and give thanks to God that it has been spared."
And so, he took her by the hand and helped her up the snowy hill as he
brushed aside his own tears with the back of his hand. As they stepped over
the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they looked up and gasped in
amazement at the incredible beauty before them. Seemingly, every glorious,
brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted
branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And
poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun
glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this.
Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy as he pulled
his wife forward. There, beneath the tree, was their Christmas gift.
Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the truck of the tree, was the
entire herd, safe. At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar
with her muzzle and had led the goats through it. Slowly and with great
dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping daintily
through the snow. The kids were frightened and dashed about. The skittish
yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their
tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The
milkers pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the
hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed
at the faces of those she loved. Her body was brittle with years, but the
golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift-Because of
love.
Only Because of love.
By Eunice Day, Washington ME
The young couple had made their usual hurried, pre-Christmas visit to
the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of
goats. The farm had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine which
topped the hill behind the farm, and through the years had become a talisman
to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside.
The old folks no longer showed their goats, for the years had taken
their toll, but they sold a little milk, and a few kids each year, and the
goats were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.
Crossly, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the
old folks. "Why do you not at least dispose of "The Old One". She is no
longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had either kids or milk
from her. You should cut corners and save where you can. Why do you keep
her anyway?" The old man looked down as his worn boot scuffed at the barn
floor
and his arm stole defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her to him
and rubbed her gently behind the ears. He replied softly, "We keep her
because of love. Only because of love."
Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a
Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through
the valley.
So it was, that because of the leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation
smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark
fall. None but the "Old One".
In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry
flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and
despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the
barn to save their beloved goats. But the flames were roaring now, and the
blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before
the fire's fury.
By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were
left, and the old man and his wife. They thanked those who had come to
their aid, and the old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon
his shoulders as he clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandanna.
Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on
this eve of Christmas. Let us, therefore, climb the hill to the old pine
where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our
home and give thanks to God that it has been spared."
And so, he took her by the hand and helped her up the snowy hill as he
brushed aside his own tears with the back of his hand. As they stepped over
the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they looked up and gasped in
amazement at the incredible beauty before them. Seemingly, every glorious,
brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted
branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And
poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun
glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this.
Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy as he pulled
his wife forward. There, beneath the tree, was their Christmas gift.
Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the truck of the tree, was the
entire herd, safe. At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar
with her muzzle and had led the goats through it. Slowly and with great
dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping daintily
through the snow. The kids were frightened and dashed about. The skittish
yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their
tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The
milkers pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the
hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed
at the faces of those she loved. Her body was brittle with years, but the
golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift-Because of
love.
Only Because of love.