The horse, the pegasus, and the unicorn

by Michelle
(Cardwell st, NSW, Australia)

One day, Henrietta went out of her house and went to saddle up her horse, Snow Angel. 'Hey girl,' she said, picking up the girth. 'Time for a ride. We should see Emily near the three birch trees.'

She buckled on the girth, put on the saddle blanket till her dad came. 'Henrietta,' he said, 'there you are. I went to this farm to get powdered mare's milk, and then the farmer said that he had a foal and he didn't have time to hand rear it. 'Can you-' he glanced at Henrietta. 'take care of it? The farmer said it was your present for helping him on his farm!'

Henrietta couldn't believe her luck - she now had a new foal to take care of.

'OK,' she said slowly, 'Emily will probably drop by with Lucy to help me take care of this little foal.' She unbuckled the girth and took off the saddle blanket. 'Dad, can you ride Snow Angel to Nelson's Farm? It'll give her exercise,' He nodded.

At Emily's house, Emily said, 'OK, bye Mum,' Her mum was about to have her hundredth kiss but Emily was already clothing Lightning. She took the reins and then Lightning cantered away. 'Oh well,' sighed Emily's mother, 'I'll kiss her when she comes back.'

'Lightning,' Emily said to her horse, 'we are going to beat Henrietta to the three birth trees if we gallop.' So she flicked up the reins. Lucy hurried out but tripped on a rock, and regained her balance.

'Oh, not again,' she muttered, 'if Mum knows I tripped over too many times, I'll have to stay home getting filled with Mum's filthy, and sloppy kisses.' She went over to Moon and rode on her bareback.

'Walk,' she said, 'I don't want to fall of YOU.'

She trotted over to Emily near the lake. 'Don't worry,' said Emily, 'She'll be here in a couple of minutes.' A few minutes passed. Then one hour passed.

'Let's go to her place,' said Lucy. 'I bet that we'll meet her on the track.' They walked along the trail but didn't see Henrietta or Snow Angel. Lucy and Emily were quite worried. They galloped to the house calling out, 'Henri? Where are you?'

'I'm in here,' called back Henrietta, 'in the barn.'

'Maybe she's hurt,' whispered Emily.

'Henri, are you - oh my gosh' said Lucy and Emily.

'You look so cute with that foal,' exclaimed Lucy. 'Trade that foal with Moon.' Henrietta smiled. 'No way.'

Emily stared at the foal, making it scared.