The Lonely Pony by Paula Harrison

Author:Paula Harrison
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Bea took off her riding hat, Keira dropped her shopping bag on the grass, and they both scrambled over the gate.

“Sandy, are you all right?” Bea ran across the paddock.

Sandy flattened her ears and backed away. Then she tossed her head and whinnied as the girls drew closer. Bea threw her arms around the pony’s neck. “I’m sorry the snake scared you!”

The pony stayed quite still, and when Bea released her, she backed away a little more.

“You’ve lost your saddle, too,” said Bea. “You must have galloped so fast it fell off! Maybe I didn’t strap it on properly.”

“She must have jumped over the fence to get back in.” Keira stroked the pony gently. “That’s quite a big jump for such a small pony!”

“We’d better tell the people who live here that she’s come home. They must have missed her.” Bea gazed around the empty farmyard. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that something wasn’t right. Why hadn’t the farmer come out to meet them?

The girls had just begun to climb over the fence into the farmyard when a large black dog rushed out of a barn, barking wildly.

Bea stopped with one leg swung over the fence. “Hello!” she called toward the farmhouse. “Can you call off your dog? We’ve come to talk to you.”

“It’s about your pony,” added Keira.

But no one appeared, and the dog began growling and jumping up at the fence.

“Maybe no one’s home,” said Keira. “But we can come back and talk to Sandy’s owner later. At least she’s safe for now.”

Bea frowned. “What if this is the wrong place? I don’t think I can leave Sandy here unless I know for sure that it’s her real home.”

“But she jumped right over the fence into this field!” said Keira. “I thought you wanted to find her owner.”

“I do!” Bea flushed. “But how do we know she belongs here without speaking to anyone? I think I should take her back to the palace.”

Keira patted the pony’s neck. “Don’t you think you’re just trying to keep the pony for yourself?”

“I’m not!” Bea shook back her dark, curly hair. “I’m trying to do the best thing for Sandy.”

Keira put her hand on Bea’s arm. “Don’t be upset, Bea! It’s just that she seems so happy here. Why don’t we come and check on her after the garden party?”

Bea sighed. “I guess you’re right.” She checked her watch. “Uh-oh! I said I’d be back by two o’clock for the party, and it’s half past two already.” She gave the pony another hug. “Bye, Sandy! I promise I’ll check on you later.”

Sandy gave a snort and went back to grazing the grass. Keira and Bea climbed over the fence and ran down the lane. When they reached the palace gates, people were pouring into the royal garden, wearing their best clothes and sun hats. Even more people were streaming up the hill from Savara, and many of them were carrying salads and baskets of cupcakes to add to the picnic food. There was a happy buzz of chatter.

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