"Brooks," says Mom, "the twins would like to visit Sunny Meadows Farm this afternoon. We will all drive there after lunch."

Brooks frowns. He had loved the farm when he was little, but now that he was nine, he was much too old to go there!

"Mom, the farm is for little kids. I am nine now. I will not have any fun there," Brooks says sharply.

Mom reaches over and rests her hand on his back. "I understand how you feel, but you can't stay home alone. And, since it is spring, there will be baby pigs and goats! You will love it!" she adds with a smile.

After lunch, Brooks sits in the car between his sisters as Mom drives to the farm. Outside the window, he spots lush green grasses and bright yellow blooms. Spring is such a pretty season, he thinks to himself.

At a big red gate, Brooks and his family enter the parking lot for the farm. Mom parks, then they all get out. Brooks looks at the farm. It seems smaller than he had remembered it.

Brooks sees a bench and walks over to sit down. "The twins want to go see the cows," says Mom. "Are you coming?" "No, Mom," says Brooks. "I am too old for this." Mom smiles, then heads over to the cow pen.

Brooks watches as his sisters point and smile at a black and white cow. Just then, a man with white hair and kind eyes sits down next to him.

"What a nice day," the man says to Brooks. Brooks shrugs. "I like the horses best," the man says as he points to a brown horse munching on some hay.

"You don't want to see the animals?" the man asks with a puzzled look. Brooks shrugs again. “This place is for little kids. I used to like it, but I am nine now,” he says.

"I see," says the man. "You are too grown up for baby pigs and goats, right?" Brooks nods and looks over at the man.

"You are not a little kid. Why are you here?" Brooks asks the man. The man grins. "I used to come here when I was little, just like you," the man replies. "Now, I come back every spring to see the baby animals."

"Every spring?" Brooks asks with wide eyes. "But, why?" The man smiles. "Well, because it still makes me happy, just like it did when I was a little boy. And you know something? You are never too old for joy."

Brooks looks out at the farm again. He watches as a goat climbs the fence to lick his sister's hand. A smile spreads across his face.

"I used to love the goats," Brooks admits. "Then maybe, you still do," the man says as he stands up. He waves, then turns to leave. Brooks watches as he walks over to the horses.

After a moment, Brooks hops off the bench and runs to join his family. "Wait for me!" he calls. As Brooks reaches the fence, a baby goat hops up to lick his hand. Brooks giggles.

Mom looks over at Brooks. "Did you change your mind about being too old for the farm?" she asks. "Yes," he says. "The goats make me happy, Mom. And now I know that you are never too old for joy." Mom nods and hugs him close.