Winnie the Horse Gentler

Morning Star
By Horse Crazy Brianna

Chapter One:

My mother's last words rang in my ears as she walked out of my room.

"... Just because this land came with a paddock and barn doesn't mean we have to get a horse, Lisa. As soon as you make the money, prove you're responsible - and get your own place - you can get one."

I knew exactly what that meant and it wasn't fair. I wasn't going to get a horse while I still lived here. Why couldn't she understand how much I love horses? I looked out my window at the empty paddock and imagined my horse there - a beautiful bay mare, with a white star on her forehead - and her name would be Morning Star.

I'd imagined my horse a million times before. I wondered what my parents were planning to do with the paddock and barn if they weren't going to keep a horse there. As I gazed out the window, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. Turning around, I saw my 15-year-old brother - two years older than I am - tapping his foot impatiently.

"Need something, Tyler?"

"It's your turn to walk the dog, you know. It's been your turn for the past few days and I'm not doing it for you again just because you want to stay here dreaming about the horse you'll never have!"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming!" I said, annoyed. Even though they aren't nearly as wonderful as horses, I do love dogs. But, our dog is actually mostly my brother's dog and his face looks like it got run over by a car. I went downstairs, got the leash and attached it to the dog's collar.

"Come on, Buster," I said, daring the dog to balk and snap at me, like he always does when I take him for a walk. Maybe he knows I'd rather have a my dream horse than him.

As we walked down the street, I heard a squeal, and immediately identified it as a horse in distress. I ran in the direction of the noise, unknowingly dropping Buster's leash. The first thing I saw was the paddock. Then I saw her - it was my horse! The horse I always imagined in my paddock. It was Morning Star! A few feet away from her, Daniel Johnson and his sister Laurell, our neighbors who care less about their horses than they care about their cars, were trying unsuccessfully to catch her. My heart pounding, I ran towards them, hurrying to get between them and my dream horse. I knew it was her; it was my Morning Star.