The animals are starting the apple ritual early this year. They coax me to the various trees around the property to get me to shake the tree and bring down some apples for them. The apples aren’t ready, but the animals can see the tempting orbs hanging there, out of their reach. The donkeys, Pegasus, and Chloe all know from previous years that I am available to perform this service for them. Beau and Fleur-de-Lys weren’t here last apple season, so they didn’t know what this early morning walk was all about the first time everyone headed out, following me to a tree. Chloe was the first to give the ritual call this season, standing outside my door and baaing. I knew what she wanted and we headed for the nearest tree.
Beau and Fleur watched the apples fall, but I don’t think they had ever had an apple before. They didn’t run forward like the others to root in the grass for the fruit. I brought an apple to each of them, bit into it so they could break it apart more easily, and presented it to them. Beau sampled it immediately, while Fleur puzzled over this strange food item. The twins are too young for the juggling it takes to bite off chunks of the rolling fruit, so they just watched and snuffled near their mother’s nose lowered to the ground. Fleur soon got how delicious even mostly green apples are. Now she and Beau run to me for the ritual too.
Chloe calls to me most mornings to come around the house to the Rome tree—this year’s best apples. A few days ago, she and Beau were waiting by the front steps. Seeing them from the living room window, I went out to take them on a walkabout. I called to them to follow as I headed for a different tree down the hill. Chloe understood what we were doing and set off after me immediately. Beau didn’t know, but followed anyway. At the tree, I shook down the sweet little yellow apples (closer to ripe) and watched them excitedly eat this manna fallen from heaven. I thought of all the gifts showered on all of us all the time. Like Beau and Fleur, we sometimes have to learn to recognize the gift. Let us be as fast as they were.
Just as I wrote this, Chloe called from the Rome tree for her morning apples. Excuse me while I go pick some—be right back…
Chloe under the Rome tree
Beau and the apple gift
Chloe had her flock with her. Beau came up the stairs to the deck to gain better access to the apple tree. He discovered he could go up on his back legs and reach some of the apples himself, plus delicious green leaves.
Little Snowflake gazed into my eyes when I held a bite of apple out to her, more interested in looking into my soul than what I held in my hand. She is so very present in her eyes, not having had to leave her body since she was born into the peace and joy of the sanctuary. She gazes at me intently, looking as though she is getting to know me. Our eyes meet and we know each other.
Snowflake climbs the stairs to join her Uncle Beau
