by Pal’s Pal, age 11

As I stood in the middle of the pasture, I was sure of only one thing. That thing was my horse. The rain hit my face in a melancholy way. I felt the dreams I had once dreamt running free in my head again. I cried.

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I saw my girl. She was standing in her valiant way, her mane blown by the wind. Something was wrong with her. I trotted over to see if she was OK. The rain pounded on me. I nickered to her. Her face was wet with salt water. I asked her to come with me out of the rain. She did. She seemed sad. Very sad. But why?

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Flame had seen me crying. He seemed concerned. He asked me to follow him. I did. I slipped in the mud. Flame nudged me up. I sat in his small shed and cried. I couldn’t see anymore. The tears were blinding. Why, oh why, had Miramba left? If she had been at our barn I knew none of the things would have happened. But sadly, Miramba had gone to France to compete in some shows. Why did everything have to happen to me?

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She seemed lost. Without guidance. Once we made it to the shed, she laid down and slept. I allowed her to. Before she laid down I heard her murmur, “All hope is lost.”

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I woke up in the hay in Flame’s shed. He was in the corner getting a drink. I stood up and looked outside. It was flooding! I stared in shock. The water was to my ankles and rising. I needed to make sure the other horses were OK. Flame had the highest pasture, and about ten horses could comfortably fit in it. Then I thought of Cendal. She was due to foal any day. She was my first priority. She needed me most. I wouldn’t… no, couldn’t let her down.

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The rain was causing a flood. My girl grabbed our food and some for herself. Then she led some mares and foals and geldings into my pasture. I knew it was vital for their survival. I couldn’t let them — or my girl — down. No matter what, I would find a way to get along with all these horses in my pasture.

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Flame was being a good boy, letting the others in his pasture. He knew as well as I the lower pastures would be flooded. The rain was still falling steadily as I put the last of the horses from lower pastures in higher pastures. I went back to double check, or at least tried to. I was frozen with fear as I saw the waters of the Chick-I-Toweii river. I saw the waters, but nowhere near the banks. The river had officially flooded.

I still had to try to see if I had left any horses. “Why couldn’t Miramba be here?” I thought. I ran back to higher ground. As I made it up the hill I heard a horrid crashing noise. I turned to see the river had risen high enough to claim my lower barn. I was terrified. I screamed.

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I asked some of the older mares about the storm. They said it would pass. That was when I heard her scream. It wasn’t like when she found us in something bad. No. This was filled with terror and anguish. When I heard this scream I too was filled with fear. Why did she scream? Was she OK?

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I ran to Flame’s pasture. I was still shocked by the barn. I needed to rest. I settled down in the shed. Surely this flooding couldn’t go on forever. I was scared. I was alone. I wasn’t safe.

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I tried to soothe my girl. She was scared. Why? The flood would pass. We’d be OK. I knew that. Why couldn’t she know we would be OK?

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I was awakened by a horrid noise. What was it? Flame stood in the doorway. I stepped past him to see how high the waters had gotten. They’d only risen a few feet. I heard a piercing whinny. Who was that? Cendal — she was giving birth.

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My girl rushed out the gate. She was going so fast she forgot to close the gate. I stood blocking the others from exiting. I knew if they escaped it could mean death for them. That was not an option. I bared my teeth at a two year-old who tried to push me out of the way. The older mares saw what I was doing and came over to help. No one else tried to pass. We held the others back until my girl arrived. She was carrying something. What? It smelled like a horse. It looked like a foal. It was a foal?! My girl’s face was wet again. I don’t think it was rain water. Cendal. She had passed while in labor. One of the old mares went to look for someone who would take care of the little foal.

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I got back to the pasture to find I’d forgotten to shut the gate. Flame and some mares had kept the other horses in while I helped Cendal’s foal. I looked over to the rising flood waters. I looked at the foal. Her name would be Rain. As I stepped into the pasture I was greeted by a mare and her foal. She seemed to want Rain. I set her down and the mare took her as her own. The rain lightened. I smiled. Rain certainly was a lucky foal. I went to lay down again. All my worries were forgotten.

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My girl was happy! She smiled! I’m happy she’s back to herself. The rain has stopped! Our way of life shall soon return. Sadly, Cendal shan’t. I miss her, but her foal… she seems almost magic. I wonder what she will do when she grows up. She’s truly gorgeous. I guess I’ll see.

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Author’s Notes: This story was written from Flame’s and Kristy’s (his girl) point of view. I do plan on making more stories about this bunch.

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