December Story Contest

Horse Journals: Thalia
By: YellowFang
Age: 12

These journals are about made-up horses and their lives. It is from their
point of view. The horse this time is a black female horse named Thalia. The
times are also made-up.

January 17, 1999
I stood up on my slender, black legs. I took my first few breaths of air as
I trotted forward. I heard something gasp behind me.
"I ain't ever seen a filly stand up that fast. I've seen a colt, but not a
filly."
I turned around to see some weird creatures. They were this weird pinkish
white color and they stood on two legs.
"Those are called humans, darling."
"They look so weird mama."
"Yes I know. But you will get used to it. They will be riding you in a
year."
"What are they saying?"
"Who knows? But you will always know when they say your name."
My mother's name was Petra. She was named after some great building, she
told me. Then this small human, a girl I'm guessing, ran into the aisle and
stared at me.
"Is she mine, papa?"
The man looked down at the little girl and smiled.
"Of course. I promised you. What will you name her?"
"How fast did she stand up?"
"She got up as soon as her mama was done licking her."
"Wow."
The little girl looked at me. I shifted from one hoof to the other,
nervously.
"Thalia."
"Such a pretty name."
I looked up at Petra. The humans left the barn.
"Is my name Thalia?"
"Yes dear. Always remember the sound of your name."

July 4, 1999
I gallop. Oh how I gallop! I gallop and gallop and gallop for hours around
my roomy paddock. I don't see my mother as often but I race against the
other fillies. I always win. Legend, a filly who has this beautiful silver
coat, said that I was a show-off and that I was only fast because my father
was the son of Secretariat.
"Your just jealous 'cause Thalia is faster than you."
A voice said behind me. I turned around to see a very bright red bay filly
walk over. Legend tossed her head and gallops to the other side of the
paddock. The bay filly turned to me.
"Hi, I'm Forget Me Not. But you can call me Forget."
I gave Forget a nod.
"How do you know my name?"
"I've listened to Legend talking about the 'little black filly' and I
figured out your name was Thalia."
"Wanna race?"
"You're on."

December 5, 1999
The days are so much colder and shorter. We don't even gallop around in the
paddock anymore. We stay in our stalls all day and I haven't seen Forget in
a week!

March 21, 2000
I'm finally training to become a famous racehorse! I've been cantering on a
racetrack. The best to see which horse is fastest is next month!

April 9, 2000
My owner and groom, the little girl named Sara, tacked me up today and led
me to another rider. The boy stroked my mane and climbed up into the saddle
and took hold of the reins.
"Good girl Thalia. I bet you'll beat Legend in the test race today."
I understood only part of what he said. The bell rang and 7 fillies galloped
onto the track. I passed the first 5 with no problem. Then I had to catch up
to Legend. Her and me were neck at neck, stride for stride. But Legend was
tired and she got a little slower. That was all I needed. I surged forward
and crossed the finish line. I completed the test!
"Good. Have Forget Me Not, Thalia, Legend, and Summer Breeze put into the
paddock. Let's call up some racing managers to see if they would like to buy
the other fillies."
A rough voice said behind me. Yay! I was going to be a racehorse! And Forget
was gonna be too!

October 30, 2000
I can't wait for May! It will be my first real race. I'll be racing other
fillies on a real race track. But Forget will be going to a different state
for her race. I'm very sad that my best friend will be gone for a while.

May 14, 2001
Race day! I'm finally 3 years old and Sara is grooming me. She came to
watch me race. The boy, my jockey named Toby, tacked me up and climbed into
the saddle. Toby rode me to the starting gates and we waited. Then the bell
rang and 11 other fillies galloped onto the track. I passed the first 8 in a
few strides.
"And Thalia took 3rd place! Wonder's Potion is in 1st and Seabiscuit's
Legacy is in 2nd!"
I pounded down the track, my eyes focused on my hooves, legs, the other
fillies, and the track. I Passed Seabiscuit's Legacy and matched Wonder's
Potion stride for stride. We galloped around the curve and I stretched out
my neck. We both crossed the finish line, me a stride ahead.
"And Thalia takes 1st place!!"
I was so happy!
"I won! I won!"
I whinnied happily.
"Enjoy it while it lasts Thalia. I'm taking you down next time."
Wonder's Legacy said as she passed me.
"I'm only trying my best."
I retorted and then held my head high.

June 25, 2002
I won 3 more races since May. I can't race anymore because I injured my
cannon bone.
"I'm so sorry Thalia."
Forget told me.
"It's okay. I'm expecting a foal so I'm not missing out on anything."

August 2, 2002
I licked my newborn foal. He looked up at me and let out a soft nicker. Sara
was watching me as the colt stood up on his long, white legs. I wish my mama
Petra could see my new foal. But she died a month ago from colic.
"Let's call him Petra. For your mama."
I licked Petra and he shook his head and snorted. My life was so full of my
friends and family. I knew I would be happy for the rest of my life.

This is the end of Horse Journals: Thalia. Check out the next story Horse
Journals: Talc. I hope you liked this story.

Special thanks to Nyx for helping me think of a title.