BIBI AT THE HORSE RANCH


RINGGGGG! Hurrah! was the only thing we heard. All of the children were so excited because the school year was finally over.

"Now, we can do what we want to do!", shouted all the students.

It didn't take long for everyone to rush out the door. When Bibi arrived home her mother had important news for her. She announced, "Guess what! We are going to a horse ranch for the summer."

Bibi was thrilled. She loved horses and she always wanted a horse of her own. She had horse models, horse books, horse posters and horse decorations all over her room. She was obsessed about horses- she was HORSE CRAZY!

" Better get packing because we are leaving tomorrow," her mother told her.

Before her mother knew it, she was in her room in the basement and already packing. They had to leave the house by 8:30 AM and it would take them five hours to get there.

When Bibi and her family arrived, one of the cowboys, named Bob told Bibi she could find a horse to ride. The horses were in the corral beside the barn. Bibi tore out of the car and raced to the barn. At the corral, she saw a herd of horses but the one she really wanted was the black horse with the white diamond on its forehead. This horse was in a special pen all by itself. Bibi didn't know what this meant, so she rushed over to cowboy Bob and asked him if she could have the black horse with the white diamond on its forehead. Unfortunately, this horse was not trained very well and the cowboy told her she did not have enough experience to ride this horse. The horse's name was Shadow.

Bibi was not afraid of lots of things and she had a plan.

Written by Grade 3 students at
Lymburn School, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Bibi decided that she would begin by becoming Shadow's friend. That night as Bibi lay on her soft bed, she thought of how wonderful it would be to ride Shadow. "If only I could get him to trust me". As Bibi drifted off into a deep sleep, she dreamed of Shadow.

"Bibi wake up", called Bibi's mom. "Pancakes are ready." Bibi stretched and rubbed her eyes. She could smell bacon on the grill. Her stomach rumbled as she bounded out of bed. Her mom was the best cook and she wasn't about to miss breakfast. That was when Bibi got a great idea. Good food was anybody's favorite and it was no different with a horse. "I'll win Shadow's trust by giving him treats!" she cried. After breakfast Bibi got an apple from the kitchen. Stuffing it in her pocket, she ran outdoors towards the corral. She quietly approached Shadow. She softly called his name. "Shadow come here boy." She held the apple in her outstretched hand towards the horse. Shadow whinnied and cautiously approached Bibi. He smelled the apple then began to munch on it. Bibi was ecstatic! "Good boy," she said.

The next morning Bibi went to visit Shadow in his pen. This time she offered him a sugar cube. The horse took the sugar and backed away. "Well it's a start," thought Bibi. Cowboy Bob who was next to the barn, came over and told Bibi how impressed he was with her kind attitude towards Shadow. "Gentling a horse is hard work Bibi, and I think you are starting off really well", remarked Bob.

Bibi continued to feed Shadow treats every morning for two weeks. At the beginning of the third week, Bibi decided to enter Shadow's pen. "Today I am going to brush you so hold still and let me touch you", whispered Bibi. Bibi's heart was pounding as she entered Shadow's pen.

Written by Grade 1 students at Lymburn School
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Bibi began to gently brush Shadow. She was surprised at how calm he was and encouraged him with the words, �Good boy!� Bibi felt jubilant at the gains she had made in making Shadow her friend.

As the brush moved down Shadow�s back leg it hit something and Shadow winced loudly. What was it? As Bibi investigated she saw a patch of thorns embedded in Shadow�s leg. She quickly and carefully removed them and began to give Shadow a loving pat when all at once Shadow reared up with a loud whinny. Bibi was startled and jumped back. With that Shadow broke out of the pen, running away.

Bibi ran out into the yard and yelled to Cowboy Bob that Shadow had broken out of the pen. With angry eyes, Cowboy Bob took off after him.

Bibi ran to her mother. She explained what had happened and how she had found the thorns and removed them. Bibi�s mother assured her that Cowboy Bob would find Shadow and bring him back.

By the time Bibi went to bed that night, their last night at the ranch, Cowboy Bob and Shadow had not returned. What if she never got to say �Goodbye� to Shadow? As Bibi slept she dreamt of her and Shadow riding together.

Early the next morning Bibi was awakened by her mother. �Cowboy Bob is back with Shadow,� whispered her mother. Bibi�s heart was full of joy - but what would Cowboy Bob say, he seemed so angry that Shadow had escaped.

Bibi quickly dressed and ran out to see Shadow. Shadow nuzzled her, seeming to say, �Thank you, Bibi, for helping me.� �I�ll miss you, Shadow,� murmured Bibi.

At breakfast, Cowboy Bob, Bibi, and her mom were silent. Then finally Cowboy Bob said, �Bibi, your Mom told me what happened. You have been a brave girl, believing in a horse that others didn�t believe in, and finding the real reason why he was so ornery. I have something special to help you remember your time here.� With that, he presented Bibi with a horseshoe. �It�s for luck, Bibi,� said Cowboy Bob.

�And, Bibi, there�s something that goes with that,� said her mother with a twinkle in her eye. They all walked out into the yard, and there standing calm and proud was Shadow. �I don�t understand,� Bibi remarked. �Anyone who can gentle a horse like you, deserves one of her own,� said Cowboy Bob, �Shadow is yours!�

Bibi was overjoyed and jumped right up on Shadow�s back. It felt as if she had been riding Shadow her entire life. �Thank you so much, Cowboy Bob, but, Mom, where will we keep Shadow?�

�On Grandpa�s farm, of course,� said Mom, �but you�ll have to teach him not to scare the bull!�

ENDING 1 - continue on for ENDING 2

They all had a great laugh as they put Shadow in the trailer behind the car and prepared to head home.

�Just one catch with this gift,� said Cowboy Bob, �You�ll need to visit the horse ranch again next year.�

�You bet,� squealed Bibi and Shadow gave a happy �neigh�.

by Grade 2 students at
Peirce School, Arlington, Massachusetts, USA
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1