As I drive down the road I look to the right and a familiar site comes into view a smile comes upon my face there are donkeys in the pasture next to me, I realize that not all people know the touch of a soft nose with whiskers, the sound of their voices all so different that you can identify each one as they sing the ”Good Morning” song.
Well there goes “Lucy Goosey” AKA Barz chiming in at the age of three she still has not found her grown up voice. Petunia AKA Rooty-Tooty, a round little body, hairy ears, starts with a high note like a train turning the bend then winds down with short little snorts as if she has come unwound. Then overpowering them all BIG MAMA has put out the call – the loudest of them all. But wait, what kind of bray is that? Ahern-a-anug! It’s Atlas my mustang trying to blend in, but with his short ears it’s obvious he is not the same poor thing he just doesn’t have a clue!
They all take their places, Atlas at the big gate, Barz just down from him. Petunia stands quietly reaching with her little nose trying to appear as big as the rest.
Big Mama stands by the little gate that leads into her stall looking regal and dignified after all she is the biggest of all! Finally, the sound of grain rattling in the can prompts them to make the final turn around. While Atlas stays at the big gate, Barz moves to the little gate where her Aunt Clyde is waiting for her to do her only trick “Open the gate Barz!”, Barz moves Petunia and Big Mama out of her way this is her time to shine! “This gate is mine!”
She bumps the gate with her head swinging it wide so proud of her performance she takes her place walking next to Aunt Clyde. “Get Go!” Aunt Clyde yells and Petunia hurries ahead to her stall her head in her empty bucket letting her know that she should have been first after all she is the fastest of them all. As Barz and Petunia begin to dine Atlas is walking next to me talking all the way -I think he is trying to tell me he cannot bray! “It’s OK to be different.” I said, patting him on his head. Quietly hanging back Big Mama waits patiently knowing if she allows scratching down her back, she gets rewarded with a handful of Atlas’ food that Aunt Kay has held back. Then she looks back to see if Petunia and Barz have been fed she finally heads to her stall – you always save the best till the last after all.
I continued by the pasture where the donkeys had caught my eye wishing that others could hear our morning choir singing it’s such a great way to have your day’s beginning!
