Dedicated to Kimberly's late father Charley.....
The young couple had made their usual hurried, pre-Christmas visit to the little farm
where dwelt the 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 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 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 brown eyes were filled with devotion
as she offered her gift - because of love.... Only because of love.
Author Unknown
