A Tale of Love

/ December 16, 2014

A Tale of Love

This is a classic tale of trust, love and faith. May it warm your heart and bring some Christmas Cheer.Christmas story, love, blessings

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their 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 and 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 shoulder 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 steep 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 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.

Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy … and again the peace of love filled their hearts.

Story by Willy Eagle, copied from Facebook.

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40 thoughts on “A Tale of Love”

  6. Animals are much wiser than we give them credit for. Sometimes, our human tendencies and skewed vision of reality fail to see that wisdom. It’s wonderful stories like this that remind us we can learn much from the natural world around us if we open ourselves up to the limitless possibilities it provides. Thanks for sharing Brad 😉

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    • My pleasure Dave. 🙂 I agree that animals are much wiser and sensitive to energies around them. As you say, there is so much we can learn from nature. Hopefully, we will become more tuned and integrated with nature.

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  14. Thank you so much for this one, friend. Animals, humans, creatures great and small . . . all connected in love. So very much to be grateful for – in the true spirit of the season.

    Blessings and light to you, dear Brad. Thank you for your gorgeous spirit! 😉

    Allison

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  16. “Because of love, Only Because of Love”…my favorite lines and theme I hope to live up to the rest of my life 🙂

    A great story Brad, allows me to ponder that this is what connects us all and can bring not just happiness to others but allows us to really find the peace inside ~ which leads to a life truly worth living. Cheers to you, great post!

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  17. Wow Randall. You really took this story to heart. I shared it as a feel good inspiration, but you’re right. It could be a life purpose and worthy way to live. Thanks my friend.
    May your holidays be filled with peace and love.

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  21. Good stuff, Brad! Enjoyed it very much. I like the idea that there is more to every one of us than the functions we perform… The fabric of our being always has something to offer…

    Much Love
    Michael

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  25. I’m delighted that you enjoyed it Cynthia. Maybe one day, I’ll pen such a good story. 🙂
    Meanwhile, I enjoy sharing inspiration from around the web. Thanks for being a friend and supporter.
    blessings my dear…

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