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 their parents 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 were 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. This is a true
story. Willy Eagle
