The Stocked Barn

Once upon a cold winter's night, a barn gnome named Gus was huddled by the fireplace in the old barn where he lived. The wind howled outside, and the snow blew in through the cracks in the walls, but Gus was warm and snug by the fire.d.

He had spent weeks preparing for the long winter ahead, stocking the barn with hay and feed for the animals, and mending any broken equipment. He was tired, but he was happy to have everything ready for the cold months ahead.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Gus opened it, and to his surprise, he found a small herd of deer standing outside. They were shivering and covered in snow, and they looked at Gus with pleading eyes.

"Please, can we come in?" they asked. "It's so cold outside, and we have nowhere else to go."

Gus hesitated. The barn was small, and there was barely enough room for him, the sheep, cows and the horse who lived there already. But he could not turn away the poor, shivering creatures on such a cold night.

"Of course you can come in," Gus said, opening the door wide. "But you'll have to share the space and the food. We'll have to make do with what we have."

The animals rushed into the barn, grateful for the warmth and shelter. They huddled together, trying to stay warm, and Gus set about making them a hot meal on his fire.

As the night wore on, the animals and Gus got to know each other. They shared stories and played games, and Gus found that he was enjoying their company.

But as the first light of dawn broke through the windows, Gus realized that he had made a mistake. The barn was now overcrowded, and there would not be enough food or space for everyone. He would have to make some difficult choices.

Gus sat down with the animals, and they talked about what to do. In the end, they decided that some of the deer would have to leave the barn and find shelter elsewhere, as soon as the storm had passed.

It was a difficult decision, but it was the right one. The barn would no longer be a comfortable and cozy place for anyone, and the deer would be better off on their own.

Gus learned that day, that generosity and kindness are important, but it is also important to consider the consequences of our actions and make difficult decisions when necessary.