August Story Contest

Eagle and I
By microphone & Black Mist     age 12

[I wrote this a while ago because I lost my favorite horse.]          

The horse could be seen as if through a cloud. The mist was strong and unmovable. I could barely make out the color; black. Pure, rich black with a white star shaped like an eagle on his forehead. It was almost so perfect that it could have been printed on. He walked into the barn and I followed, wondering what would happen to him. He was my horse, and like me, was limping badly. I was using crutches. The poor gelding only had a bandaged leg. He was led into the stall. The vet came out and saw me. He looked downcast. His face was gloomy and he couldn’t look at me properly. “He’s going to have to be put down. I’m sorry, Kate.” He said. Tears ran down my cheeks. I was thinking of the fun times we’d had together. And the accident. Oh, how could I forget about the accident? I must tell you about it. Though it is horrible, you must know. You, reader, are my only friend now that Eagle is dead.  

I walked into the barn and saw the pure black horse looking at me from his stall. He whinnied and I ran up to him. I reached into my pocket and brought out a peppermint. He stared at it as if it were the best thing in the world. I gave it to him and as he chewed, I tacked him up. I led him out of his stall and exited the stable. My arch enemy Jane was sitting atop her gorgeous bay mare. Her name was Take a Chance on Me. I didn’t like showing, so my horse was a pleasure horse. I mounted him and we walked off towards the forest. We started trotting, but soon reached a log fallen across our path. I turned around and cantered back towards the log. We sailed over it. As we landed, Eagle’s leg broke and he fell, throwing me over his head. I landed on the hard ground. I woke up in the hospital feeling awful. “How’s Eagle?” That was the first thing I said. No one answered. They didn’t want to tell me the truth, yet. I finally was able to get out of the hospital and went to the stables one foggy morning. And saw Eagle for the last time.        

 Later I learned that if it were not for my arch enemy Jane, I would have still been out there when I woke up. She had decided to take the same route after warming up. She found Eagle and I hurt and raced back to tell the stable manager. An ambulance arrived and so did the vet. But even though the vet did his best, Eagle’s leg was too badly hurt to do anything about it. He did him the honor of putting him to sleep because he was in great pain. I know the vet did him a favor, but it didn’t make it any easier to say goodbye. The last memory I have of him is me limping up to him and hugging him and crying into his black wavy mane. Then he was lost forever, except for in my heart and memories. I shall never forget you Eagle, for you taught me something I had never experienced before; True, pure and utter love and companionship. Goodbye my sweet Eagle, for I shall never forget your pure black coat and star, and your heart of gold, for that is what you had. Goodbye.