Two Gifts

It's been a peculiar week. Jack and I each received a completely unexpected gift and our reactions were mixed, to say the least.

On Monday, Jack had just finished his shredded cubes and was beginning to sort through his hay. Suddenly, he snorted, flew to the back of his room and began trying to exit through his locked door. The woman looked suitably alarmed and rushed to his side. She examined his hay pile and found nothing. He remained adhament that something was terribly wrong. She sighed and rifled through the hay once more. "Oh", she said, "I see", and casually shot the object under the divider and right onto my hay! I trumpeted and retreated up the back wall of my room.

She picked up said object and waved it in my direction, laughing like a mad person. I refused to look. She climbed over my stall guard and continued waving the thing in my face. I opened one eye and beheld - Sally's toy mouse. Honestly, I appreciate Sally's generosity but I fear Jack and I can't stand much more of her thoughtfulness.

On a happier note, it transpired that while the Woman and male human were in Chicago, they did indeed buy me a gift. It is a small but tasteful poster bearing the motto "Keep Calm and Carry On". I believe it to be a British saying from the Second World War and very apropos in our barn. My understanding is that although it is displayed on the wall where I can see it, it is really a directive for the others. I pride myself on my sangfroide in stressful situations - unless a fake mouse is involved.