The Unusual Gifts

The Unusual Gifts

          On Monday morning, at 7:00 am, there was a knock at my door. When I opened it, a man from Tree Treasures Nursery had a pear tree for me. I told him he had the wrong person, but he insisted. I asked him to place the tree in my yard and wondered who would send such an unusual gift. There was no card attached, but there was a partridge nestled in its branches. Before the man left, I asked him to plant the tree for me next to my patio. He did this for free.

         The next morning, at the same time, I was met by a man from Fine Feathered Friends. He gave me two turtle doves. Again, there was no card, and I was really wondering what was going on. The doves were in their own cage, so I had them placed in my dining room. I never had birds as pets, so I didn't know how to take care of them. The man gave me a care guide and some food.

          On Wednesday, Freddie's Farms delivered three french hens. A card was not found and I was getting worried. At least I could make some cordon bleu for dinner. Their eggs tasted good also. I was given feed for them and told what else I had to do. I placed them outside so they wouldn't disturb the doves.

          Thursday held another surprise, Fine Feathered Friends made a return visit delivering four calling birds. Thankfully, I lived in a rural area so there weren't many neighbors to be disturbed. My quiet, peaceful, serene life had suddenly become a song book. I was beginning to enjoy this. The calling birds and the turtle doves ate different food, so it was hard to keep things straight. There wasn't any inclination as to who the sender was.

          Friday brought another surprise, this time from Jasper's Jewels, They gave me five golden rings to wear on my fingers. I felt like Krystal Carrington. At least this time, I didn't have something living to take care of. Instead of wearing this gift, I fashioned the rings into the symbol for the Olympics. The Winter games were to start in February so I wanted a reminder.

          Saturday was met with another knock. This time six geese a laying were brought from Freddie's Farms. They were also wondering about this. Did I live in a home or a farm? The geese posed a problem. They had to stay outside, in a pen. The partridge, doves, and now geese were quite noisy. I was getting really confued. Who was sending me these gifts, but still no card.

          Sunday's delivery brought a new set of problems. Seven Swans a Swimming arrived and no pool to put them in. Thankfully, my jacuzzi did the trick. They looked beautiful and added to the home's decor. However, the other occupants of my patio didn't take too well to the new arrivals. I was getting a headache.

          Monday had another prize-Eight maids a milking. The problem was that I wasn't zoned for a farm. At least I wouldn't have to buy milk, eggs, and other dairy items. Since this had lasted over a week, I wondered how much more would arrive.

          Tuesday brought me an answer. Nine ladies arrived dancing throughout my home. Free entertainment sounded pretty good. They were better than Dancing with The Stars. I was liking this more and more.

          Wednesday brought Ten Lords a Leaping. I thought I could watch the lords and ladies dance together and it would be a good dinner show. However, one lord would be leaping solo. The one good thing is that these lords and ladies would help me eat this abundant food.

          On Thursday, I heard Eleven Pipers Piping. Now the Lords and Ladies would have something to dance and leap to. I wondered if they would stay permanently. Still there was no answer to the question as to who sent me all of this.

          Finally, on Friday, I received my last unusual gift-Twelve Drummers Drumming. Now not only did I have food to last a while, but a band to keep me entertained. It was on that night, that I found out who sent all the gifts. It was my boyfriend who was deployed to Iraq. He was always eccentric. He called me and wanted to know if I received his "gifts". I tried to say yes over all the squacking, drumming, dancing, and leaping. The best fit I got was that he told me he would be home in a wekk for a one month leave. That made what I went through bearable. I could hardly wait to see him.

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