A Christmas playlet for a quartet of quadrupeds.

Cast of characters:
Rosie –  a dappled grey Percheron – a trifle bossy, nosy, and opinionated; can’t help quoting snippets from Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, Shakespeare’s plays, and others.

Willie – a black Percheron – totally laid back, mellow and the perfect foil for Rosie.

Ben –  the nigh ox – a leader with a level head.

Bill –  the off ox – the strong silent type.

Setting:  
On Sanborn Road in front of the Main House. Rosie & Willie are in harness at left, with Ben & Bill yoked to the right. Lined up across the porch are a bunch of humans* gathered to wish everyone a fecund and provocative 2019.

Rosie – (Trying get the others’ attention) This quarry cries on havoc! Be vigitant I beseech you. Prick up your ears and pay attention, I’ve just heard a rumor.

Willie – (With a hint of sarcasm) You hear lots of things. Why should we listen this time?

Rosie – Will you refrain from putting in your oar! Don’t be rude. There is providence in the fall of a sparrow.

Willie – The last rumor you thought you heard was totally unfounded.

Rosie – Goats and monkeys! You infernal coxcomb.

Willie – Well, you thought you heard talk amongst the humans that lots of things are going to change around here.

Ben – Rosie, Willie’s right. Not everything that humans say should be taken seriously.

Bill – No way.

Rosie – But that is what I heard. The humans have been talking about lots of changes recently. For me, if twere done, then twere well it were done quickly.

Willie – Sometimes I think our humans just talk to have something to listen to. I think there’s too much going on, on this farm for anyone to make big changes.

Ben – Every time we turn around, there seems to be another building going up, and the sawmill has been turning out long timbers made from the tree length logs they have us bring out of the woods.

Willie – I’m not particular about what the humans want us to do as long as there’s plenty of time to rest, and enough hay and water when we need it.

Rosie – Just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t, though. If it be not now, yet it will come.

Willie – I hope things don’t change too much.

Ben – I think Rosie might be right this time, Willie. I agree that it feels like something big is happening.

Bill – Yup, big.

Willie – (To Bill) What, you too? You guys picking on me?

Ben – Not at all.

Bill – Nope.

Rosie – You heard the rumors too?

Ben – I don’t hear things the way you do, but I do notice things. Look at the humans on the porch. There’s a new one standing right in the middle of the picture

Bill – Yup, I see him.

Rosie – Who is he? Customer come to try on? Looks like a second trombone.

Ben – My human calls him Andrew, and told me he’s asking a lot of questions, beginning to get his head around what is going on here at the farm. He’s doing that with all the humans.

	Click here to learn more about Andrew Ingram.

Willie – That sounds like the stuff an executive director is supposed to do.

Rosie – Wow, that means we’ve got a new boss, and someone to lead us all into the future. Here’s a howdy-do!

Ben – I think you may be right.

Bill – Yup, y’are.

At this point the picture was taken and all involved went back to their day jobs. Art is no match for meaningful work, and the playlet was consequently abandoned.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND BEST WISHES FOR 2019!

Already thinking about doing something creative this spring?