Only For Love
A brother and sister had made their usual hurried,
obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly
parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up
and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the
hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the
old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had
fond memories of their childhood here but the city hustle and bustle added more
excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.
The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll,
and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder but it
gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a
few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and
contentment at day's end.
Angry, 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 foals from her. You should cut corners and
save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring
you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"
The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes, scuffed at the
barn floor and replied, " Yes I could use a pair of new boots. His arm slid
defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near with gentle caressing
he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of
love. Nothing else, just 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.
The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A
tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand
the peace of the love that filled their hearts?
So it was, that because of the unhappy 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 horses. 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. His wife
back from calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they
wept at their loss.
By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left,
and the old man and his wife exhausted from their grief huddled together before
the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground.
They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The
old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his
shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly
he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of
Christmas. Let us gather strength and 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 pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.
And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he
brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand.
The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the deep snow. As they
stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they paused to rest,
looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees
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. They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.
Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed and
mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath
the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness
was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night light.
Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk 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 horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back,
she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals
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 mares that were in foal with a new years crop
of babies, 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 the old man and his wife.
Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired
from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her
gift.
Because of love. Only Because of love.
-Author
Unknown
|