July Story Contest

Sonya's Quest

By: Onaneagle

Age: 7

 

             One sunny morning, a petite whitish-gray filly named Sonya stood up and shook her mane after a good night's sleep.  She nuzzled her mother Stormy and whispered into her ear, “Mama, it's time to wake up.”

             Stormy greeted her daughter with a warm good morning and cantered gracefully to the top of the hill where she made speeches.  Stormy bellowed to wake the rest of the sleeping herd. 

             “Good morning everybody,” Stormy began her speech while Sonya listened with close attention.  “As you know, my daughter Sonya is nearly grown and soon she will take my place and be your new lead mare.  But first she must go on a quest, into the wild by herself to find a strong mate who will take care of her.”

             The herd of horses started murmuring with worry and excitement, while Sonya's friends crowded around to wish her good luck and goodbye.

 

* * * * *

             Sonya looked around and saw only enormous green pines and small brown deer running away after their leader.  She felt a wince of sadness thinking of the faraway herd and wonderful mother, who only wanted the best for her.  She pushed the thoughts out of her mind and focused on the trail again.  “Why can't I find any horses?  I've searched all morning,” Sonya complained to herself.

             Unexpectedly, the woods came to a stop, replaced by tall green grass swaying with the wind and rocky mountains in the background.   Sonya felt a jerk of happiness and a need to roll in the grass.  She crumpled down and started rolling, then stood again and shook everything off.  “If this place is so beautiful, why not enjoy it?”, Sonya thought out loud, then took off galloping, jumping every now and then.

             Sonya skidded to a sudden stop, a few inches away from a river.   The water roared and crashed against sharp pointed rocks, as the mountain river rushed down.  Sonya's eyes showed white and her ears flew back in terror.  “I must cross this river, but I'll be crushed against the rocks,”  she cried out.  “How can I go on?  If I turn back, the herd will think I'm a coward!”

 

 * * * * *

             Sonya stood at the bank of the river, the water rushing around her hooves, and whinnied as loud as she could for help.  Then, in the distance, she made out the outline of a horse, galloping toward her.  As the horse neared, it amazingly jumped over the rapids, and landed beside her.  “Who are you?” the horse nickered.

             Sonya stared at the muscular horse.  His colors were tan, with a black mane and tail, and an arched neck.  She replied timidly, “My name is Sonya.  What's yours?”

             The horse answered proudly, “I am Hunter.  Will you come with me to eat?”

             Sonya laughed, “I would, but I can't quite seem to get over this river!”

             “That's no problem,” Hunter explained.  “Bite the end of this large stick and I'll bite the other end.  We'll swim across and I'll pull you when you need help.”

             Sonya thought this was strange but saw that Hunter was trying to help her.  “Okay,” she said with a smile.  “Let's do it.”

 

* * * * *

             Sonya shook off the water and remembered how hard it was to cross the river.  “Whew!” she blew out her breath.  “I'm glad that's done!”

              “Will you come to my house now?” Hunter snorted.  

             “Sure I will!” said Sonya, and they galloped off.

             When they arrived at a lighted cave, Hunter yelled, “Mother, I'm home!”

             A beautiful palomino came to the door and said, “Hunter, there you are. And who is this?”

             “I'm Sonya,” nickered the tired filly.

             “Come in,” greeted Hunter's mom and Sonya gratefully disappeared inside the warm .

            

* * * * *

             “Thank you,” said Sonya, “Your meal was delicious!  But I should be going now.”

             “No, no, no.  Stay here for the night,” urged Hunter's mom.  She walked through a curtain of dried grass and Sonya followed her into a room. 

             Sonya gasped when she saw the bed—it was made of roses and dried leaves.  “Thank you so much,” Sonya whinnied.  “Where I live we sleep on the grass, with no roof.”

             “I lived that way when I was young,” Hunter's mom remembered.  “Good night dear,” she nuzzled Sonya and left her alone.

             Sonya stood, wondered what her herd was doing, then curled up in the roses, inhaled deeply and dozed off.

* * * * *

             “Sonya, Sonya,” Hunter called.  “We are having fresh green grass and oats for breakfast.”

             Sonya walked out of the bedroom.  “Good morning,” she said cheerfully and smiled.

             “Good morning,” replied Hunter and his mom.

             Hunter dashed over and whispered in Sonya's ear, “Tomorrow is my mother's birthday.  Let's go pick some flowers and rosemary for her.”

             “Must we today?  It's so cloudy and cold,” said Sonya.  “Can't we go tomorrow?”

             “No,” said Hunter firmly, “stay close to me and we won't be cold.”

 

  * * * * *

             “Here's some rosemary,” exclaimed Sonya.

             “Great!  And here are some more roses,” said Hunter excitedly.
             “How much have we picked?” questioned Sonya.

             “Let me count. . . ten branches of fresh rosemary and 12 pink roses.”

             “Why don't we try to pick some daisies?” suggested Sonya.

         “Okay, there are more flowers over by those trees,” Hunter trotted off.

             Sonya followed, but soon started shivering.  A burst of wind and freezing rain came from the sky.

             “Sonya!” she heard Hunter yell.

             She whinnied back but her sound was drowned out by the howling wind.  The rain froze into swirling snow, blinding her path.  She was lost!

 

* * * * *

             Sonya looked around wildly, but only saw icy white snow.  Suddenly, Hunter reared up through the cloud of snow.  He yelled, “There is a bunch of trees over the hill.  Let's go there for cover.”

             They galloped over and huddled close together for warmth.  They listened to the wind screaming and ice crackling through the night.  Finally, they slept.

             When they awoke, a gentle breeze brushing past was all that was left of the blizzard.  They shook off all the snow and Hunter said, “Follow me back to my house.”

             They took off galloping and soon reached the cave.  Hunter's mother appeared at the door, “Thank goodness you're back!  You must be hungry and cold.  I have a wonderful meal inside; just follow me.”

             “Mother,” said Hunter, “we picked flowers for your birthday, but lost them in the storm.  But we still wish you a happy birthday!”

 

* * * * *

             Hunter and Sonya were in the kitchen baking a birthday surprise for Hunter's mom.  Sonya added rosemary and Hunter poured oats. 

             As they worked, Sonya told Hunter about her quest.  “My mother sent me to find a mate so I can become lead mare of the herd.”

             Hunter thought a moment, then moved closer to Sonya.  “Would you consider me as your mate?” he asked.

             Sonya felt happy and answered shyly, “Yes, I would.”

             They nuzzled each other then finished baking the rosemary oat cake to celebrate the birthday--and their engagement.

 

* * * * *

             “Here's some food for the trip,” said Hunter's mom.  “I will visit soon and I wish you good luck.  Goodbye!”    

             Hunter and Sonya traveled back to the herd.

             Stormy greeted them, “Congratulations!  Sonya, you have completed your quest and are now lead mare.  Hunter, you will now be the stallion of the herd.”

             The horses in the herd cheered.

             Sonya and Hunter smiled at each other.  They knew they would be happy together, leading the herd.

 

The End