by Peanut, age 8

One day, five-hundred years ago, there lived a little girl named Leea. She lived in a small village next to Lake Huron. She owned a beautiful cream coloured pony called Wind Dancer. Leea lived in a huge long-house with her mom, dad, two sisters, and three brothers. Of the six children, she was the youngest. Leea allowed Wind Dancer to walk around the village and do as she pleased. However, Wind Dancer was not allowed past the palisade. Leea had two best friends who owned ponies just like her. Their names were Lily and Kuni. Their ponies’ names were Shabar and Destiny.

One cold morning, Leea awoke to the sound of snow crunching under the people’s soft moccasins. Snow! She ran out of the long-house and called out for Wind Dancer. She called out several times but her pony did not come. Leea walked around the village until she found a small hoof print in the ground. She saw another one. She followed the track to the palisade gate. It was open! She ran through the open gate and kept following the tracks until they faded into the sand.

The frozen rain pelted on Leea’s bare skin, her long black hair blew in her face, her legs were scraped and bleeding from the bramble bushes, but still no sign of Wind Dancer. Finally, she collapsed to the ground and started to cry. But she couldn’t give up, she walked to the lake; maybe her pony was getting a drink. She climbed up to the highest stone and called out for Wind Dancer. No answer.

Suddenly, she slipped off the rock and into the great lake. Leea paddled with her hands until finally, she gave up. Her body was too weak to move. She let the current take her along. A great big splash was coming towards her. It was Wind Dancer! Her long slender legs paddled fast in the cold water. She swept Leea onto her back and brought her back to dry land.

Wind Dancer cantered steadily towards the open gate. She slipped through the opening quietly. She walked into the long-house and placed Leea in front of the burning fire. Leea lay there, her face pale, her eyes shut. She was unconscious. Slowly, she opened her eyes and sat upright. Wind Dancer nickered softly. Leea got up to her feet and embraced Wind Dancer in a hug. ” The Huron Wind Dancer,” she whispered.

The End