Christmas Horse Tale

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 horses. 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 horses, for the years had taken their toll, but
they sold a few foals each year, and the horses 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 foals 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 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. 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 bandana. 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 horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had
led them up the hill, stepping daintily 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 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.