November Story Contest

Memory Pond
By Jackfrost & Desi
Age 10

My beautiful palomino pony trotted along the snowy bank. A few crumpled, brown leaves flew past us. Rose playfully tossed her head towards an old, rotten apple. “Ewww!” I giggled. She was just the crazy pony to do that. Her mane danced in the cold, blistering wind. “Canter,” I whispered.

 I felt a big breeze tug on my body as she cantered smoothly down Memory Trail. Her gentle and graceful movements made me feel dreamy. I let my mind drift to thoughts of Rose’s future and past. In my dream I felt adrenaline pump through my veins as I cleared a towering cross rail.  I broke out of my thoughts as I heard a small thump. “Whaaa…” I trailed off.

A shiny, tiny silver heart key chain bounced onto my tan worn breeches. I slowed Rose to a steady walk. I grasped for my necklace around my pale neck. My hand started shaking uncontrollably. The hearts were a match! “Oh my,” I breathed. I dug the memorabilias deep into my purple riding coat.

“Trot! Trot!” I shouted. Rose obeyed. We went into a bouncy and bumpy trot. I let my mouth form into a small smile. This was going to be a day to remember. The trail started getting rugged and tight. I pulled slightly back on the reins. I turned my head to the right to find a dark, murky pond.  I quickly and silently dismounted and tied the bewildered pony to a tall brown post.  I ran through the wet, sloppy mud. Finally I had reached my destination. Behind a heart shaped rock I scraped through the dry, dead weeds. Eventually my hands hit a treasure chest; I tugged and pulled with all my might to retrieve it from its burial. “Yes!” I exclaimed. I opened it carefully wiping off all the dirt. The hinge made a loud creaking noise. I searched the box for the special poem my mother had read me once. She had taken me here to this same spot on her old faithful flea-bitten grey paint. Everyday since then I had thought about my Great Grandmother’s chest. I pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. It read:

When hearts are found,
They are bound.
Together locked by love,
As peaceful as a dove.

I grabbed the two glimmering hearts from my pocket. They both had a gold latch. I heard a snap as I pushed them together. I stared at the heart shaped rock below me. I gently placed the special key chain in the treasure chest. I covered the box with mud and dirt once again. As I backed away I noticed the sun sinking low in the sky. I had to go right away before mom grows worried. I mounted my trustworthy pony with pure glee. I recited the poem over and over again as I galloped away into the shadows.