Jane Monroe Donovan - Winters Gift

I would like to thank my grandparents Glenn and Alberta Dowty for being wonderful models and inspirations; my brother Michael who has been so generous with his help and advice; my husband Bruce and sons Ryan and Joey for their love and encouragement. JANE Copyright 2004 Jane Monroe Donovan All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews and articles. All inquiries should be addressed to: Sleeping Bear Press 315 E. Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 200 Ann Arbor MI 48103 www.sleepingbearpress.com 2004 Sleeping Bear Press is an imprint of Gale. 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Donovan, Jane Monroe. 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Donovan, Jane Monroe.

Winters gift / written and illustrated by Jane Monroe Donovan. p. cm. Summary: On Christmas Eve, an old farmer whose wife has died acquires new hope after helping a pregnant mare in a snowstorm. ISBN 978-1-58536-231-8 [1. 2. 2.

ChristmasFiction. 3. Wild horsesFiction. 4. HorsesFiction. 5.

GriefFiction.] I. Title. PZ7.D7238Wi 2004 [E]dc22 2004009854 WINTERS GIFT WRITTEN and ILLUSTRATED by JANE MONROE DONOVAN I t was December 24 and there had been a terrible blizzard north of the small town. Everything was calm now and covered in white. When the old man awoke that morning, his bones ached more than usual, which probably meant more snow was on its way. The old man lived on a small farm nestled in the woods at the edge of town. The old man lived on a small farm nestled in the woods at the edge of town.

As he walked through thesnow, he saw cardinals darting in and out of the trees, chickadees sitting on the woodpile, and deer tracks everywhere. The snow glistened all around him. As the old man worked, he began to daydream of the Christmases that had come before. Every year on this very day, the old man and his wife went into the woods to find the perfect Christmas tree. This usually took awhile but eventually they would find a tree that they were sure was the prettiest ever. He would put on the lights while she made hot tea and sandwiches. He would put on the lights while she made hot tea and sandwiches.

Then, together they would hang theornaments. Finally, when the tree was just right, his wife would take out a wooden box that held a beautiful star. The star is the most important part of the tree, she would always say. Its a symbol of hope, and no matterhow bad things get, you should always have hope. But the old man didnt have hope anymore.He had lost his wife in the spring and wasalone. This year there would be no Christmastree, no Christmas star.

The old man finished stacking the wood andwent inside to fix his dinner. Not far away from the old mans house,a mare wandered alone through the woods. During the blizzard, she had become separated from herherd of wild horses. The swirling snow and blowing windwere so strong she had fallen behind and gotten lost. After the storm was over, she wandered the woods tryingto find her herd. She had never been alone before and wasvery frightened.

But all she could do was keep walking. Now, as this day ended and it grew dark, new snow startedto fall. In the distance the mare could hear wolves howling.She needed to find a safe place for the night. The wind whistled and huge snowflakes swirled around her.She was growing weary and so cold as she struggled throughthe deep snow. The sound of howling seemed closer. Exhausted, the mare couldnt go any further.

Shecame to a clearing in the woods and then collapsedinto the snow, letting out a small nicker. From his kitchen the old man thought he heardsomething outside. He put on his coat and boots,grabbed a lantern, and headed out the door. He walked behind the barn near the woods but didntsee anything. Just as he was about to turn back, he sawthe shape in the snow and heard a soft whinny. Using his scarf as a rope, the old man gentlycoaxed the mare to her feet.

He led her into the barn. The barn had notbeen used in years but it was still in goodshape and would keep her warm and safe.