{The Midnight Visit} Chapter 4

Rosalie ran into the garden. She looked around for the mare. Then Rosalie saw her.
Dawn lay on the ground her sides heaving. Rosalie was quick to notice, “She’s having a baby!!!” she screamed.
Her parents heard someone scream outside so they ran to where the pregnant mare lay with Rosalie by her  side. Her next door neighbor and best friend, Mimi, heard and ran as fast as she could, with a halter. Soon the little filly was born into the world.
“Mum,” Rosalie said “ That’s why I stole some apples and sugar lumps off you!”
Her mum laughed “ I noticed some were gone, I just couldn’t figure out why!”

“ Rosalie.” Mimi said as she passed the halter to her. “I remembered you'd asked for it, so I brought it for you.”
“You’re the best!” Rosalie cried and hugged Mimi. Rosalie’s parents looked at each other and smiled.
“For midnight rides.” Mimi laughed.
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Sorry I've taken so long to write the next chapter, I will be quicker with chapter 5!! (Hopefully...)

{The Midnight Visit} Chapter 3

“Rosalie, Rosalie!” Mum called, “Breakfast is nearly over!”
“Oh, I’m coming” Rosalie yawned. She slowly ate her breakfast half asleep.
“Are you OK, Rosalie?” her mum asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Rosalie replied. She grinned, “I can’t wait until tonight”, she said, still grinning.
“Why?” asked her mother, puzzled.
“Oh, just because I’m going to see Mimi and her pony, Tongo, tonight,” she said quickly.
“Mum, can I please text Mimi on your phone?” Rosalie asked. 
“Ok.” Her mother agreed.
Rosalie wrote this:                         

Dear Mimi,

Can I come over to your

house today?

It’s ok with my mum.

Xoxo

Then a few minutes later Mimi replied and said, yes. 
………………………………………
Later, while Rosalie was playing with Mimi, she asked if she could have a halter. “Of course not!” came the answer, “You don’t even have a horse!”
After dinner at Mimi’s house Rosalie went home.
Before bed she slipped a big carrot behind her back. 
“I have a big carrot for you Dawn.” She whispered, “I love you.”
…………………………….
It was midnight when the whinny came again. But this time it was low and mournful, as if someone was in pain. Thousands of scary thoughts came into Rosalie's mind.
Was something wrong with Dawn?
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Why do you think Rosalie wanted to borrow a halter from her friend Mimi?
Have you ever fed a carrot or an apple to a horse? 

{The Midnight Visit} Chapter Two

That afternoon while Rosalie was playing with her friends she thought about the horse. 
Ok, before I go to bed I’ll get some sugar lumps and an apple just in case he or she comes back, Rosalie thought. 
“Hey!” Rosalie’s friend Mimi called “ Come and play with us!” 
Rosalie remembered her friends, “ Yeah, coming” she called back. 
                                                              ………………………..

That night Rosalie lay awake listening for the loud whinny. Then she heard it. She crept out of bed slowly. She ran down the stairway, through the lounge and clambered down the steps into the garden. Rosalie stared at the sight before her. She gasped. There in the moonlight stood the horse tall and proud. Her mane and tail flowing in the wind. 
Then, as if by magic, the horse turned and ate the apple and sugar. She nickered happily. Then, as the new day dawned, the beautiful bay galloped away. 
Rosalie laughed “ I hope mum doesn’t mind the sugar lumps gone, Dawn!”
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Do you like my story so far?
Do you think Dawn is a good name for the horse?

The Midnight Visit:: Chapter One

Once there was girl called Rosalie. She lived in a small house on Blueberry Lane. It was the night of her 8th birthday when the adventure began. Rosalie lay in her bed quietly listening to the whisper of the trees. Then, she suddenly saw a shadow move across the lawn.
A cold shiver ran down her spine as she slipped out from the warmth of her bed and went to the window.
“Be brave, be brave.” She chanted through whispers.
As she peered through the moonlight she saw a beautiful horse shining in the dancing moonlight. Suddenly, a loud whinny rang out like lots of bells at the same time. Rosalie stood by the window, frozen stiff, her hands were shaking.
Finally, after some time, she went back to bed.
                                                  __________________________

She woke up by the light shining into her room. As she sat up she remembered  last night's adventure with the wild horse.
“Rosalie!” a voice called,
“Coming, Mama!” she called back shakily.
Rosalie quickly decided not to tell any one about her horse adventure.

………………..
Have you ever seen a wild horse?
Would you be scared or excited?

Book Review:: This Way of Life

Title: This Way of Life
Author: Sumner Burstyn
Photographers: Thomas Burstyn and Norbet Guenther

This book is about Peter and Colleen Ottley-Karena and their seven kids.
They are a family that lives with about 30 horses. Peter usually does horse trekking around their place.
They used to live in a teepee right next to their horses but one night a storm hit and now they live in a house in Havelock North.
My favourite part was when one of the girls, Aurora (13) broke in a horse called Salty.
I really enjoyed this book.
I would recommend it to kids who like cowboys and horses, like my cousins Cody and Cheyenne.
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Have you seen the film, 'This Way of Life'?
You can read another review of this book, here or here.

I am a Bull

I am a bull.

I was being forced into a tiny fenced area. I tried to turn away but I got slapped by a person’s whip. I had to go.

That fenced area was terrible! I couldn’t even turn. I tried to buck but I got several more slaps. Before I knew what was happening a cowboy was being lowered onto my back.

Then, someone opened the gate. I was MAD!! I bucked and twisted, finally he came off. Some horsemen tried to catch me. I snorted and charged at the gate to the field. The gate broke and I ran as hard as I could. The horses galloped after me. It all happened so quickly. They never got me.

I was free!

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When we went to the Rodeo a bull really did break out through the gate! The cowboys had to chase after it.
Have you ever been to a rodeo?
What was your favourite part?

Wild Horses

These are some of the wild horses at Aupouri forest, Northland.

My favourite is a black one I called 'Midnight Star'.