I was worried now. I knew that mares in foal needed
warmth and shelter when they gave birth. I had sensed
a while ago that tonight would be the night the girl gave
birth. But she needed a safe place to have her child.
The kind man walked up to another place, and knocked.
He looked at the girl with hope in his eyes when the sound
of movement from inside reached us. Could this be the
place where we would be welcomed?
An old man with a caring face opened the door. My master
pleaded for a place to rest. The man shook his head but
gestured for us to follow.
He led us down a narrow path to a small cave. My spirits
had risen considerably. The girl would have a place to give
birth, and my master and I would have a place to rest.
We entered the cave, and the kind man spoke to the old
man in a grateful tone. We could stay.
The kind man helped the lady wearing the sky down. I
took the opportunity to stretch my back, easing my sore
muscles. The kind man led the girl over to a pile of hay,
and arranged it into a comfortable resting place for her. I
watched in satisfaction. I knew my master would make an
excellent father.
Once the girl had been made comfortable, the kind man
took care of me. He led me outside to the trough. When I
had drunk my fill, he led me back inside and put me in a
stall with hay to eat.
I chewed the hay contentedly, satisfied that I had not
failed my master. An ox, who must have belonged to the
old man, put his head over into my stall and watched me
eat. I stopped chewing and greeted him warmly, breathing
into his nostrils and accepting his breath. He was a very
decent fellow.
Our pleasantries were interrupted by a soft wail. My eyes
widened, and I hurried to check on my master and the
girl wearing the sky. To my relief, they both appeared
delighted instead of troubled.
I soon forgot about them though. I had spotted the child.
He was a beautiful little boy, with golden hair that seemed
to be made of light itself. He seemed to glow even brighter
than the stars overhead. I was captivated. I had never seen
such a beautiful creature.
I sounded my approval, startling the kind man, the sky
cloaked girl, and the little babe. The girl smiled at me, and
brought her precious child over for me to examine. He
looked at me with trusting eyes, and
smiled up at me. His eyes were even more gentle than the
kind man’s eyes.
A warm feeling came over me, like eating summer grass in
the sunshine. I saw so many things in the boy’s eyes: joy,
hope, love, but also sadness. He seemed so happy to see
me, yet there was an air of reservation about him, as if he
knew he had a serious purpose. Maybe he had a kind man
of his own that he didn’t want to disappoint.
The girl carried her son away, and I instantly wished
she would bring him back. I wanted to look into his eyes
forever.
She cradled him gently in her arms. I could see the great
affection she already had for her offspring. I understood. I
already loved the special babe too.
I began to drowse, but was rudely awakened by the arrival
of a great crowd of people. Men smelling of sheep came
pushing and shoving into the stable making it quite
crowded. They all talked and gestured excitedly pointing
to the golden haired infant. The kind man and the girl
who wore the sky looked frightened. The girl pulled the
newborn closer to herself, protecting him.
One of the men said a few words to my master, and
he relaxed. I relaxed too. If the kind man trusted these
strange sheep smelling men, I would trust them too.
My ox friend in the neighboring stall was not faring
as well. He had backed himself into a corner and was
bellowing his alarm. I quickly breathed in his nostrils to
calm him. It seemed to work because the wild look left his
eyes.
After much gazing and gawking, the strange group of men
left the stable. The girl resumed tending her baby, while
my master watched over them both protectively.
I wondered if there would be any other groups of strange
people coming to see the special boy. I soon became
drowsy again and fell asleep.
Hours later, a sharp, bitter scent entered my nostrils. I
opened my eyes, and saw three men wearing richly colored
robes. They knelt before the newborn and offered him
gifts. One of the gifts was the scent that had irritated my
nose. I tried to blow the scent as far away from my nostrils
10
BAYLEY BULLETIN, DEC 2016-FEB 2017
