Dream II

PART THREE: MOE

As I grazed, the faint jingle of a bell blew through the breeze, causing my ears to swivel. I looked up, and there, at the entrance to the clearing: a very small human girl, standing next to a much taller human woman. The girl had a curly mane of black hair, which rippled around her in the mountain breeze. She was looking right at me, with such a sense of awe in her eyes that it sent a little tingle down my spine. She loved me. She hadn’t ever seen me before, but she loved me. How I knew this, just from her eyes, I wasn’t sure. But I did know one thing. I had to go to her. With a toss of my head, I launched myself into a trot, eager to meet this tiny human who already adored me so.

PART FOUR: MEGGIE

The buckskin pony looked up, and I held my breath as our eyes met. 

“Mom, look!!” I squealed, as he began to trot over to me. Mom put a hand on my shoulder, and I remembered I needed to be soft and quiet so I didn’t scare the ponies away. He was absolutely gorgeous- his coat was shiny, his mane and tail long and silky, and the thick feathering on his legs rippled as he moved. I took a deep breath as the pony slowed down to a walk to close the last few feet between us. Suddenly, he was right in front of me. His warm breath blew on my hands, and his soft blue eyes looked straight into mine. I could hardly breathe. He was right in front of me. Right here. The pony of my literal dreams. Close enough to touch. He nuzzled my hands, causing the bell ribbon to jingle, and me to jump slightly. I had completely forgotten about the bell ribbon, and what I needed to do with it. Making sure the stallion had gotten a good sniff of me and the bell ribbon, I reached up and pet his neck, under his long silver mane. He was seriously gorgeous. And so soft. He nuzzled my shoulder as I scratched his neck, which he seemed to enjoy. Finally, holding my breath, I reached up, and started to braid the ribbon into his mane. His ears swiveled as the bell jingled, but otherwise, he paid it no mind. 

“Good boy,” I whispered, continuing the braid. Once it was almost as long as my forearm - the Teddy had some

serious mane - I knotted it off with a rubber band and electrical tape. And another rubber band for good measure. And a bit more tape. I really want it to stay. I really want this horse. Finally, I put the tape back in my pocket, and turned my full attention onto the little stallion’s immense need for cuddles. He nuzzled up against me, pushing his broad white forehead against my chest. I giggled, and scratched under his chin, which he seemed to enjoy. I heard the click of my mom’s phone camera from behind me, and giggled as the Teddy seemed to pose for the next photo. Mom came up next to me and pet his withers, which didn't even come up to her hip. He really was quite little- the good thing is, so am I.

PART FIVE: MOE

The girl smelled of strawberries and sunshine, and I very quickly realized that I loved her, just as much as she loved me. When I had approached her, the first thing she did was find my itchy spot- right under my mane. She had quickly braided the bell into my hair, and then began to pet me all over. I could get used to this. I wanted to get used to this. I gently headbutted her chest, trying to say, take me with you. But she just giggled, and kept petting my neck. I knew it wasn’t as simple as that, I knew she couldn’t simply take me. The bell had to stay in my mane until the round up. Only then could I go with her. It was then that I swore an oath to move as little as physically possible until round up day. Everything I could do to ensure the bell stayed with me, I would do. I wouldn’t swim, I wouldn’t play. I would simply wait for her. Before I knew what was happening, she gave me one last pet, a kiss on the nose, and whispered in my ear.

“Goodbye Dream. I’ll see you soon.”

She and her mother turned and began to walk down the hillside. I stood, frozen, watching them leave. It was only then that I realized: the emptiness in my chest that I had felt ever since I was a colt… It had disappeared when she was with me. I had felt… Whole. It was then that a wave of giddy energy washed over me. I knew I had said no running, no playing, but… I raced a lap around the clearing, pure joy running through my veins. I would have a human of my very own. Soon. Very soon.