The Mysterious Horse (ages 9-12)

 By Lauren C.

      Andi was quietly sleeping in her bed when she was jolted awake to the sound of neighing! So she climbed out of bed, sure not to make a sound. And she put on her bathrobe and slipped out her bedroom door. She tiptoed down the stairs.

When she got to the kitchen she looked out the window and saw  what she thought was a horse, but who’s horse? It didn’t look like any of their horses. Before she could peer closer she felt a soft hand on her shoulder.

Andi briskly turned around and in the dim moon light she saw her mother, “Andrea what are you doing up so early?”

Andi replied, I was awakened by the neighing! Andi thought her mother was going scold her, but Mrs. Carter said, “I heard it too, now I’ll fetch your brothers and ask them about it.”

A minute later, Andi’s three older brothers burst into the room. They were already dressed because Mother had told them about the horse.

“Hello Honey”, Justin said. “Don’t worry we’ll investigate, ok?”, he said with a sleepy smile.

Before Andi could respond her mom said, “time to go upstairs and get dressed.”

As Andi scampered up the stairs, she heard her brothers go out the front door. Why is there a horse on the lawn?, Andi thought to herself. As soon as Andi was ready to go outside she pranced down the squeaky stairs and out the front door. As soon as she took one step out, she stopped short and gasped because what she saw was a sight!

She saw Chad, Justin, and Mitch standing face to face with Mr. Hollister and Mr. Kairen. They were arguing about who’s horse it is. Andi felt nervous because they were getting loud, and Andi remembered the time Mr. Hollister had yelled at Chad in their own home. She had a lump stuck in her throat, so she sat on the porch step and prayed that God would help them find the rightful home.

As the conflict died down, everybody went home. Chad carefully took the Palomino by the bridle and led it into the barn for the night. That night there was a thunderstorm, and Andi did not wake up because she was soundly asleep.

Outside the Palomino jumped the stall door and bolted out of the barn and down the path to town! That morning the Carters went out to see the horse and the Palomino was strangely not there! Later that day, Mr. Lincoln came by and talked with Chad. Mr. Lincoln explained that the Palomino had run away from his ranch and he hadn’t been able to find her. She mysteriously came home during the thunderstorm! He was so thrilled because he loved his horse. Mr. Lincoln thanked Chad for keeping her in their barn.

The Carters, who were very generous, said your welcome!