Ann felt quite safe in her little remote valley. She suspected that it had been several years since any human had visited this valley. She didn't lock the door to her trailer and many warm evenings she left the door open.
She found that there was something addicting about the harmonica. There was a certain joy that she experienced as she heard herself playing a recognizable tune. Plus it had a soothing effect upon her emotions. The sound of the bubbling stream flowing near her trailer added the perfect background accompaniment to her harmonica.
She was free to play around with her harmonica creating her own melodies. There was no one other than the sheep to hear her if she made any mistakes. One day she played one of her new songs from the piano book.
5 5 5 -4 5 -5 6 7 6 5 Sav-ior, like a shep-herd le-ad u-s, -4 5 -5 -6 6 -6 5 much we need thy ten-der care; 5 5 5 -4 5 -5 6 7 6 5 In Thy pleas-ant pas-tures fe-ed u-s, -4 5 -5 -6 6 -5 5 For our use Thy folds pre-pare; 6 6 -6 7 -7 -6 6 5 Bless-ed Je-sus, Bless-ed Je-sus, 5 5 -4 -6 6 -5 5 Thou hast brought us, Thine we are; 6 6 -6 7 -7 -6 6 7 Bless-ed Je-sus, bless-ed Je-sus, 4 -4 5 6 -5 -4 4 Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
When she finished Ann was startled out of her socks by a man's voice behind her. "Hi there," he called out. "That was lovely." Ann whirled around to see a bearded man, probably in late 30s, standing about 50 feet away.
The look on Ann's face caused Dan to realize he had made a big mistake. He had trespassed upon her property and invaded her privacy. "I'm sorry," he called out. "I was just out for a hike." Dan turned to leave and as he did he looked back over his shoulder and called out, "That was Savior Like A Shepherd Leadeth, wasn't it. Very nice." And he turned to walk back toward his motorcycle before he terrified this poor lady any further.
Ann was relieved to see the man leave. His quick departure assured her that she was safe. She was also pleased to learn that he had recognized the song she was playing. She felt a sense of accomplishment that she could play recognizable music on her harmonica. The fact that he recognized this hymn revealed that he must be a religious man.
Ann watched the man disappear around a bend and a clump of bushes. She suddenly realized that the only person she had seen in several days was about to leave, possibly never to return. "Wait!" Ann called out. She saw the man reappear from behind the trees. He just stood there, not approaching, waiting for Ann to speak. "Ah, would you like a drink, or something?"
"That would be nice," answered Dan. He still refused to approach until invited. "I'm sorry I startled you."
"Well you certainly startled me, and apology accepted," replied Ann. "I have some lemonade in the trailer. Would you like some?"
"I would love some," said Dan as he approached Ann.
Ann pointed to a lawn chair, invited Dan to have a seat, while she went into her little trailer to get a pitcher of lemonade and two glasses.
Ann looked out her trailer window at this stranger who had wandered in. He looked safe and rather handsome. She checked her appearance in the mirror before taking the pitcher of lemonade and two glasses out to him.
"My name is Dan," he offered. "I had heard about this valley and just wanted to check it out. I had no idea that anyone lived here."
"And I'm Ann. I am just here for the summer watching the sheep."
They spent the next half hour or so sipping lemonade and talking about Hidden Valley and Ann's job as a shepherdess. Dan asked Ann to play another song on her harmonica and she reluctantly played this song.
8 -8 7 7 -7 7 Soft-ly and ten-der-ly -8 7 -6 -6 6 Je-sus is call-ing. 7 7 7 8 -8 7 -8 Call-ing for you and for me; 8 -8 7 7 -7 See, on the por-tals 7 -8 7 -6 -6 6 He's wait-ing and watch-ing, 7 7 -8 8 7 -8 7 Watch-ing for you and for me. 6 -8 8 7 -8 8 Come home, come h-o-m-e, -8 -8 -8 8 8 -9 9 -9 Ye who are wea-ry come ho-me, 8 -8 7 7 -7 7 Ear-nest-ly, ten-der-ly, -8 7 -6 -6 6 Je-sus is call-ing, 7 7 -9 8 7 -8 7 Call-ing, O sin-ner, come home!
Dan sat listening to the beautiful song and admiring this lovely lady. What a pleasant surprise, he thought. Not only have I found the magnificent valley, but I have also discovered this jewel who makes such beautiful music. He wondered if he was dreaming.
Ann finished playing her song and offered Dan some of her beans and cornbread that she had prepared for her dinner. He accepted and added the contents of his picnic pack to their meal. They sat and ate and talked until the sun began to go down behind Blue Mountain. Dan then excused himself and asked if he could come back and visit her again. Ann said that she would like that. She walked with him as far as the gate.
Dan threw his leg over his motorcycle and road slowly back along the trail. Ann returned to her camp and sheep. She was thinking, now that was a pleasant surprise.