Back to the flames

It had been a dry, burnt summer without a drop of rain. As we rode along Antler Path Trail, I looked around. To my left, pine needles floated in the hot wind like tiny brown ghosts drifting lazily to the ground. On my right was my friend Jake, who was thirteen, the same age as me. He was leading Mohawk, the leggy, coal black yearling colt we had been raising, he was blind and his mother had rejected him.

My attention turned back to my horse, Rose, who threw back her head and whinnied alarmingly.  Both horses seemed nervous.

“Look,” Jake called, pointing to the inky clouds ahead.

     “Yeah, finally some rain!” I shouted, but immediately regretted my words. Everybody knows that after a dry season, a sudden storm can cause major forest fires.

“We should probably head back,” Jake yelled as the winds churned. But as we turned to leave, a bolt of deadly precise lightning struck a nearby tree, sparking more around it. In seconds, a sickly orange-yellow haze rose from the bush.

“Quick! This way!” Jake hollered, and charged for a gap in the trees. But as he passed,  a falling branch struck him on the head. I jumped off Rose and urged her towards Jake.

“Easy girl, we’ll be fine,” I crooned, but I didn’t know if it was true. The air was thin and the smoke blinding. I swung poor Jake onto Rose’s back, then jumped on behind him. But as I reached for Mohawk’s lead, another branch cracked, sounding like someone’s bone snapping in half. Mohawk spooked and darted into the smoke. There was no time to lose. I grabbed Rose’s reins and galloped toward Ice Cap Lake, which filled with meltwater every Spring.  

    

As soon as I spotted the lake, I swung down, pulled Jake off Rose, and headed, reins in hand, toward some cool relief. But Rose wouldn’t follow. She broke from me and charged, terrified, back into the flames. I wanted to scream but could barely breathe.

Suddenly, there was a roar of thunder and the dusty sky burst into tears. I started to cry myself,  realizing what I had just lost. The forest I loved, my faithful horses, and maybe even Jake, who laid unconscious over a log.

I buried my face in my hands, when suddenly I heard a high-pitched whinnie. I whistled and out of the bramble of black timber came Rose, solemn but unharmed.  My eyes filled with smudged tears, I hugged her neck so tightly. Then I felt a playful shove against my right hip. Pulling my face out of Rose’s mane, I saw the coal black colt. I hugged him too,  thinking how lucky I was, when I heard Jake’s voice.

“Hey! Are you just going to stand there or can we get going?” There he was, sitting upright, clutching his head with his hand, but smiling. So I smiled back. Everything was going to be fine. 

copyright, 2013  

Wanted: Sun

Read this cool story by my friend Yinki.

visit this web link Wanted: Sun

A story-tastic author of some story-tastic books

Marguerite Henry is the author of many best selling books. They're packed with suspense and adventure. When you start one of her books, you can't put it down until you're finished!

Pictures of Marguerite Henry

 HERE ARE SOME OF HER BOOKS!

<-This my favorite book!

(covers and photos found on Google)

Treasure in the cave

Hi my name is Amy Peterson and this is my journal. This morning  I was very surprised to find an old treasure map in my closet. Old and crinkled, the map was very fragile. I was so excited; I really wanted to find the treasure. So I saddled up my horse, Pirate, with my dad’s old western saddle. Although the saddle was very old, it still had the smell of brand new leather. Grabbing the map on the way, I jumped with all my might onto Pirate. We galloped away in the direction the map was telling us to go. Galloping on Pirate felt like flying, all four feet off the ground. It was a beautiful day and the breeze felt so good on my face.

      When we got to our destination, there was a large, eerie cave. The map said the treasure was inside the cave. I took large steps up a short rocky hill, leaving Pirate tied to a tree. It was a dark cave with purple, sharp pointed rocks hanging from the ceiling. Drops of water fell from the rocks. Although the drops were small, they made the loudest sounds when they hit the cave floor. The smell was wet and humid. I took very small steps, further and further into the cave. Suddenly, I hit my knee on a large rock. There was a loud, high-pitched scream. I stood frozen with fright, only to realize the scream was my own, so I moved the rock away.

      Behind the rock was a heavy box with an odd looking lock on it. I wanted to see it in better light, so I hopped onto Pirate and galloped home, keeping a firm grip on the box. When I got back into my messy room, I shoved aside some books and clothes and sat down with the box. As I examined the lock more closely, I realized it was open. With shaking hands, I opened box ever so carefully. Inside was another smaller box with no lock on it. Lifting the lid to the small box, my hands where shaking madly with excitement. Inside that box was a small note, folded in half. OK, I was shaking with the thrill of the note … what could it say??? In perfect hand writing that looked a lot like my brother’s it said:

                                                    GOT CHA! 

Author of some story-tastic series

My favorite author is Sharon Siamon . She makes her stories so interesting. Once you start reading the book you can't put it down until you're done! Sharon has written many different books including the series; Mustang mountain, Wild horse creek, and Saddle island. Her books are full of suspense, adventure, friendship, fun, romance, horses, and a story-tastic story. To learn more visit her website!

                                                            (picture from Google)

http://www.sharonsiamon.com             <- Check out this site! 

Pat the peacock

 Once upon a time a very long time ago. Where the animals played and the birds sang, and oh the birds how beautiful their colors where pink, blue, green, orange and many more. But there was one bird who was not so colorful his name was Pat the peacock. Pat was only black and grey. He did not like being so plain he wanted to be beautiful like all the other birds.  

     

         One day Polly the parrot said why don’t we do a contest for the most colorful bird M. Toucan can be the judge. Everyone agreed to the contest but not Pat he got so sad cause was certain he was not going to win. So he walked away from every one else. Walked to a big tree where he sat down to rest. When suddenly it started to rain. Oh great, sighed Pat as h started to cry he wished and wished he could be more colorful. As he made that wish the rain stopped he opened his Eyes and saw a rainbow. Sitting on the rainbow was something even more colorful. Pat walked over there sitting on the rainbow was a chameleon. “Hi there” he said, “I guess from the look on your face that you are sad.” “Yes,” said Pat. “Well what can I do to help do you have a wish maybe?” said the chameleon in a cheerful voice. “Well I do have a wish I want to be colorful like all the other birds.” “Well if that’s what you want then closed your eyes and step into my rainbow.” Pat closed his eyes and walked through the rainbow when he came out the other side he had the most colors of and of the birds. He had blue and purple and orange and red and all the colors of the rainbow. Pat jumped for joy and turned back to thank the chameleon but he was gone.

                  Pat walked back to the other birds and entered the contest. When M. Toucan told the winner everybody was shocked. THE WINNER IS PAT THE PEACOCK. Ever since then Pat was the most colorful bird ever.

A summer story: life without gravity by Yinki Ying

It was the summer of 3043. Grade 5 ended about a week ago but I still had trouble getting used to not going to school. Usually, my parents and I would go somewhere for the summer. Last year, it was New Zealand for 3 weeks in July and Peru for 20 days in August. But this year, my parents told me that we’re not going anywhere. They say it’s because Chicago has never been this hot in summer and they’re afraid that it’s going to be like this everywhere in the world. But I know that’s not it.

Last night, I was trying very hard to fall asleep. When I finally fell asleep, I couldn’t feel myself rising from my bed. I must have forgotten to strap myself in. The window must have been opened because I didn’t crash into the ceiling. I was carried by the wind to the main floor when a series of voices awoke me. I could hear my dad saying:” How are we going to be able to make a trip to China and Korea now that I’m fired?” My dad is the chief operating officer (COO) of BOTTLES. BOTTLES provide bottles of water that are sealed with special materials and a closable straw so that the water won’t float away. Since we weren’t going anywhere, I started to get really bored. Every day was the same: I would have my breakfast, and then I would read being careful to remember to strap myself onto the sofa. After that, I would have lunch and see if it’s not too hot to go outside because with this kind of weather, it was almost impossible to stay outdoors. I would then have dinner and after that, float to my room for some before bed reading and finally, strap myself into bed.

One day, while reading, I saw the mailman slowly floating towards my house. You’re probably wondering how the mailman manages to float to every house without being blown somewhere else. Well, the mailman carries around a fan and when he’s blown off course, he turns it on to make sure he’s going the right way. But that day, he was directing the fan towards himself. I went to open the door and the mailman looked really relieved when I handed him a bottle of water.” Thanks Susan, he said, and here’s a letter from your Uncle Sam.” He handed me the letter, asked for another bottle and left. I slowly opened the letter and this is what it said:

Dear Susan,

How are you? I’m fine but the animals are dehydrated.

Now that its summer, many workers have left to the north and with most of the workers gone, I don’t have enough workers to feed all the animals. So, how would you like to help out for a few days? If it’s a yes, come on over to the zoo. If it’s a no, write back to me.

Sincerely,

Uncle Sam

When I arrived at the zoo the next day, it was almost deserted. The only living things I could see were the animals, the workers who stayed and Uncle Sam and his son Adam. I hate Adam, and he hates me. It all started on my sixth birthday. We were trying to get the cupcakes back onto the plate when Adam snatched 2 and stuffed them in my face. Since then, we hated each other. Uncle Sam was playing chess with one of the workers and he manages because he has a special magnetic board and the pieces have magnets on them so they won’t fly away. The table that he plays on is also magnetic so that the board won’t fly away. He also attached the chairs to the table with string so wherever the table goes, the chairs will follow. Adam was playing basketball. In my opinion, that’s the only good thing that he can do. He developed different tricks and flips so that the ball won’t float away.

When Uncle Sam saw me, he flew over to me and said:”Let’s go check out the zebras.” We floated over to the zebra pen. I noticed a zebra that was floating on its side and asked my uncle:”Uncle Sam, what’s wrong with that zebra?” “Oh Penny? She somehow got sick.” He answered. “Oh can I take care of her?” I asked. “Dad, why don’t you let me do it instead?” interfered Adam. “Why would you even do it?” I asked him. “Because I care about animals.” He replied. “And why would your dad let you do it?” I fired back. “Because I’m—“ He didn’t get to finish his sentence when Uncle Sam yelled:”ENOUGH! Adam, I am going to let Susan take care of Penny and you know why? Because Susan only visits 5 times a year but you’re here 3 times a month sometimes 6.” And after that, my uncle told me to go home.

2 days later, I returned to the zoo and went straight to the zebras. Adam flew over to me and said: “Susan, can I tell you something?” “And why do you think I would listen?” I asked. “Because you care?” he replied. “Okay. Fine.” I said. “Great, because you really need to know. Yesterday, I was watching Penny and it looked as if she was in really great pain. Her face looked almost like yours when you’re angry. I think she’s getting worse.” “And you didn’t tell your dad?” I asked. “Well, I guessed I should have told you first.” He replied. I rushed to go find Uncle Sam. When I found him, I told him exactly what happened and suddenly, with this gigantic burst of energy, he pulled me all the way to the zebra pen. He looked really panicked and I was sure of it when he said:”Susan, you have to help us. I… I… I don’t know what to do.” “Well, it’s a good thing you have me because I read everything about zebras and I know exactly what to do.” I said. I had to inject Penny with a special medication that I always have in hand called Jector (Jector is a special liquid that can cure almost everything.). I put the liquid in the needle and tried to inject it into Penny but, every time I tried, Penny would float away. So I told Uncle Sam to put a harness onto Penny and that he should wear one too. Then to attach a rope from Penny to him so that if she floats away, he can pull her back. And with a little patience, in about 10 minutes, I was sure I had cured Penny. My uncle helped her stand and she took a few steps in the air. We all held our breath… she was cured!

Uncle Sam and Adam accompanied me back home. “Adam is there something you want to tell Susan?” asked Uncle Sam “Huh? Oh yeah. Umm… Susan, he said, I’m sorry I stuffed those cupcakes in your face.” And then, as if by magic, it seemed that all our problems were solved. I forgot about the cupcakes, I forgot about the fight and all I could say was:”What cupcakes?” And we all laughed our way home.

After that incident, I was allowed 1 visit per week in the summer to the zoo to see Penny. Me and Adam weren’t fighting anymore and after a few weeks, I started grade 6 and I saw my friends again. Everything was back to normal. It was about 2 months after dad lost his job when he announced at dinner:”I got a new job.” My mom was so excited she nearly choked. “Where?” she asked. “At the zoo.”

The end

the creation of the first teacher

The bell rang. The students shuffled into their history class. Mr. Smart, their very old history teacher, told them the legend of the creation of the first teacher.

Long ago, Horse was still making the world. She made the sky, the sun, the moon, the stars, the animals, the trees and the lakes. She created Dog, Pig, Dung Beetle, and Human. Human was really stupid and Horse despised that.

“What to do? Thought Horse, I know! I shall create a human that is very smart to teach Human. I shall call this human Teacher.”

Dog suggested: “He should have fur so that he is always warm.” “Fur like yours?” asked Horse. “Yes. With spots too.” replied Dog. “No. Said Horse, He should resemble Human not you.”

Pig recommended: “He should have pointed ears so he can hear easily.” “Ears like yours?” asked Horse. “Yes. And they should be pink.” confirmed Pig. “No. said Horse, like I said to Dog, he shall resemble Human not you.”

Dung Beetle said: “He should teach Human about dung.” “Because you like the subject of dung?” asked Horse. “Of course! Why else would I be called Dung Beetle?” replied Dung Beetle. “No. He shall be a human not a Dung Beetle said Horse, and he will only teach about Important Stuff and Information You Need In To Know and dung is not one of them.”

The animals started to dispute between each other until Horse cried: “Enough! I have an idea. Why don’t you all create your idea of Teacher? You shall make him using clay. You must give him an intelligence like no other. Tomorrow, I shall pick the best creation.”

Dog, Pig, and Dung Beetle all agreed. They worked until late night. When they were finished, they went to sleep. Unbeknownst to them, while they were sleeping, Horse fetched some water and poured the water on the creations. The next morning, the animals woke up and saw in front of their eyes, the first teacher.

As Mr. Smart finished, the bell for next period rang. Every student rose to leave for their next class. Faraway in the plains, a horse whinnied. Unknown to everyone in the school, Mr. Smart heard it and when he did, he smiled.

by Yinki and Appaloosa

The endurance race of life and saving the family farm

There were three days until the race, just 72 hours for Becky to save her family farm. You see, Becky’ s family breeding operation had been having trouble raising enough money to keep their foals.  The government wanted to build condominiums on their property, and Becky had entered herself in an endurance race to win the prize money of $100,000 to pay the veterinary bills. Becky Fluterson thought of all the foals that would be born when  she won that money. She stared out the window at her beautiful mare, Sunny.  Sunny’s  white mane blew in the wind, and her palomino coat sparkled in the sunlight. She had three white shocks and a thin white stripe running down her head. Sunny was a seven-year-old quarter horse and mustang cross, and full of spirit .Becky’s hair was almost the same color as Sunny’ s coat . They had been practicing for the big endurance race since last month. The age limit was 10-15 years old, and Becky was just 10, so she would be probably the youngest kid there.

      Two days passed, and it was the day before the race – time to go and stay at the campground. Becky and her mom loaded Sunny into the trailer and drove to Whitehorse Springs . When they arrived, they set up their tent, then Becky took Sunny for a walk.  She passed by some campsites and most people seemed nice but one.  Her name was Sarah - she had it writing across her trailer  - and Sarah seemed to almost growl like a mountain lion at Becky, then stuck her nose up and stormed back into her trailer.

     “Don’t mind her,” a voice called out from behind her. It was a girl who looked about her age.  She had short brown hair and blue eyes.  “My name is Alexei, and that’s Sarah.  She’s always like that, stuck up and shallow.  That’s her horse over there.  His name is Storm, and she wants to win just so she can have more money than she already has.  Not me, I’m just in it for the fun.” “Well my name is Becky and I’m here to try to win the money for our farm because the government threatened to shut us down. Oh, and is she really always like that?” Becky asked.  “Yes,” Alexei said, “Do you want to go for a ride around the camp?”  “Okay,” replied Becky, “I’ll just go tell my mom, and get my horse, Flint, tacked up.” Becky ran off, returning two minutes later for a night ride, then turning in for bed.

   

    The  next day, it was time for the race.  Becky went out to the barn to get Sunny and brought her back to the trailer. By the time Becky was done grooming Sunny, it was just 20 minutes before the race.   She put on her vest and helmet, then tacked Sunny up and mounted her for a quick trot to the starting line, where she saw Alexei and Sarah. Minutes passed, then a small crowd of spectators appeared.

     A woman came with a gun, and pointed it skyward.  She called out, “This endurance race is unlike most others. Each of you gets a different map.  You have to find four flags, put them in your saddle bag, and come back here, Now, ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO!!!!!!” The gun went off and Becky made a fast start, but so did Alexei and Sarah.  Then the three split up and went in different directions. Becky’s map showed her first flag was on top of a muddy slope to the north, or at least she thought so.  

     When she got to the hill, it looked a bit dangerous,  so she wrapped Sunny’s legs and started up. Everything was going well, until suddenly, Sunny’s hooves  started slipping down the hill. Sunny struggled to stay upright. Becky was really scared, but she knew she had to stay confident because whatever she thought, Sunny would feel it, and in a time like this she did NOT want Sunny to be scared.  

The mud was just impossible. Becky didn’t know what to do, but something inside her was telling her to jump left.  She thought that was crazy - that she was out of her mind - but she didn’t know what else to do! So she clicked her heels into Sunny’s sides and guided her left. Sunny jumped, and Becky closed her eyes. She didn’t know what was going to happen, but there was that voice again, telling her that everything was fine.  When she opened her eyes, she was standing on a small rock ledge, and Sunny looked calm.  So they continued up the slope, finally reaching the top where  Becky took the flag and put it in her saddlebag.   Then she and Sunny descended the slope sideways. “One flag down, three to go,” Becky said. They rested for a bit, and had lunch. When they were done, Becky mounted Sunny and they cantered off to find the next flag, which was behind a rock in a seemingly easy-to-reach spot.

        She rode Sunny to the big rock and spied the flag in the distance.  She told Sunny to walk forward, but Sunny stood strong.   Becky urged her on again, but something was wrong and Sunny could feel it. Becky surveyed the area,  still seeing nothing, so she urged Sunny on again.  The mare took one step forward, then stepped back, her ears pricked, every part of her alert. Becky looked around again.  Still nothing. Suddenly, she heard a rattling sound from behind the rock, and a rattlesnake darted towards them. Sunny reared, and Becky wanted to scream, but then she reminded herself  that whatever she thought,  Sunny would feel,  so she stayed calm and pleaded for a miracle.

    At that moment, a rustling sound arose, and a beautiful palomino mare jumped out from the bushes.  She had a blaze, and a white mane and tail, and she looked like a mustang.   She reared fiercely, then faced the snake and stomped it dead.  At this, Sunny gave out a high-pitched whinny, and the mare turned, listening.  Then she walked over calmly and touched muzzles with the mare. 

    Suddenly, Becky realized this was Sunny’s  mustang mother.  At that, she also realized it was Sunny’ s mother who had been sending her those earlier thoughts.  Then the weirdest thing happened.  The mare spoke. “Yes, I’m Sundance and you are right, Sunny is my filly.  Oh, and that was me. I know what you think and I can send you mental messages. All horses can. Like now, Sunny sent you a message too, but only girls and boys who have a real love for horses can hear us as you do, Becky. I’m here to help you get through this endurance race and help you save your family farm.”  Then Sundance added, “I have a safer place for you to sleep because cougars live around here.” “Oh,  okay,  thank you” replied Becky softly.  As they left, she leaned down to lift the second flag from the sand.

   

     They trotted towards a dark cave. Well, it seemed dark. Becky dismounted Sunny and led her up the small hill and into the cave, with Sundance in the lead. When they got inside, Becky thought it was rather dim, but like Sundance said, horses can see what you’re thinking.  At that thought, Sundance pushed some crystals over to catch the moonlight, and suddenly the whole room lit up in a rainbow of colors. Becky smiled and soon fell asleep beside Sunny.

        In  the morning, Becky  awoke to the sweet smell of Sunny and so she tacked up her mare.  To her surprise, Sundance was gone, but she knew with her magic that Sundance would be fine. So she mounted Sunny and set off to find the next flag,  which was … where?... “Behind a waterfall! Are they trying to kill us? ” Becky hollered.  She cantered off to the waterfall and the sound was so loud and growing louder that Sunny started to spook.  Becky wanted to be scared too, but she told herself again that whatever she thought, Sunny would feel. So she stayed calm and stroked Sunny’s neck and spoke soft words.  Sunny quieted down and slowly Becky  moved closer with her eyes half open, just enough to see where she was going.  Closer to the waterfall they went, and closer…then under it, and she pulled the flag from the foam and quickly turned Sunny back to land. They cantered to the top of a hill, where the sound of the waterfall wasn’t so bad.

     Becky looked at the map, and the last flag was in a tree, so she cantered towards the tallest one she could see. She spotted the flag dangling from the branches, and stood on top of Sunny’s saddle to reach it, but  Sunny spooked again, and Becky fell off and hurt her arm.  Sunny returned to Becky’ s side, then gave a loud whinny as a cougar jumped from a tree and landed just meters away from them. Becky’s heart pounded.  She picked up a rock and tried to hurl it at the cougar, but her arm hurt too much, so Sunny gave out another loud whinny.  Sundance came thundering out of the bush as she had before. The cougar whipped around sleekly and turned to face Sundance, who was rearing and bucking madly.  The cougar lunged at Sundance with its claws spread.  Sundance jumped out of the way, then tried to step on him, but she missed and the cougar slipped out of the way. The cougar jumped again at Sundance, but this time he jumped on her back and she could not shake him off. He sank his claws into Sundance’s back and she screamed in pain. Becky screamed and tried again to throw the rock but she was badly hurt.  Sunny ran to Sundance’s side but by now she was on the ground  and Sunny reared up and came down hard on the cougar’ s head. The cougar instantly unlatched his teeth and claws and escaped into the bush.  Becky got up and ran over to Sundance and Sunny.  She had tears in her eyes when she saw Sundance, who had a deep cut in her withers and was on the ground in shock. Becky rested with her for the night .

     The next morning, Becky woke up and attempted to pick up Sunny’s tack, but her arm throbbed so much, she decided to first wrap it in her scarf.  Becky put a halter on Sundance’ s head and led her to a log where she tied her, then she stood on the log so she didn’t have to lift the saddle over her head as she tacked up Sunny.  Becky mounted Sunny, then rode off to the path that lead to the finish line, with Sundance close behind.

     When she got there, she saw Alexei and Sarah.  Alexei said, “You go, Becky.  You need the money for your farm.” “Thanks,” said Becky. But Sarah had plans of her own.  She clicked her heels, telling Storm to go, and he bolted. Becky galloped after her and then they saw a tree that had fallen the night of the storm. Sunny pulled ahead of Storm and cleared the tree, but when Sarah got to it, she shifted her weight and threw Storm off balance.  He slid and stopped, and Sarah fell off. Becky, meanwhile, raced to the end and won. Soon after came Alexei, then Sarah, who ran to her trailer wailing, “MOMMYYYYYY!” Becky took home the prize money and everything was fine. She brought Sundance home and healed her wounds and let her go free again.

     Becky lived a happy life, raising foals,  but one crazy surprise followed another one morning. First of all, Sunny was gone.  Becky looked everywhere but she could not find her mare.  The next day, oddly, Sunny was back , and Becky was relieved.

      

     Three months later, Sunny was due for a check-up, so the veterinarian came back with data saying everything was fine -- but Sunny was pregnant.  “How did this happen?” Becky wondered, but then she remembered the one night Sunny had run  away.  “She must have mated with a Mustang stallion,” thought Becky. Nine months later, Sunny had her foal, a beautiful cream-colored colt, who was very high spirited and full of life. Becky named him “Sunbeam” because he was as beautiful as sunlight -- just like Sunny and Sundance.  Suddenly, she heard Sundance, “Good work,” and then she heard Sunny, “Thank you.”

     As they say, Becky lived happily ever after. So did Alexei who won second prize, and Sarah, whose mom just gave her the money.

 THE END