The Best Morning Ever

(709 words)

Before I even open my eyes, I can smell the sweet aroma of a spring morning. The flowers and trees are in bloom. I smell the fresh hay that the stable boy is piling into the corner of the barn. Outside, I hear the birds singing their morning wake-up song.

Outside! I want to be outside. Though my stomach rumbles at the scent of the hay, I want to go out and run first. Experience the wonders of the morning. I quickly open my eyes, get my legs under me and stand. I shake my head to clear the sleep from eyes and the hay from my mane. I step forward to the door of my stall and peer out. I see the stable boy leaning on a pitchfork, taking a quick break. I whinny and stomp my right hoof to get his attention.

He turns to me and smiles, “Ah, Thunderbolt, you ready to go out already,” he shakes his head as he unlatches his door, “Don’t forget to come to eat breakfast,” as I bolt past him and out the open stable door, I hear him sigh and say, “Though I’m sure you’ll find something out there to nibble on.”

As I gallop across the open meadow, I feel an amazing energy flow through me. It is as if I am soaking up the energy of the sun like a flower. Nay, it is more than that. It is the feeling of freedom, free from being cooped up in the stable overnight. I know there have been rumors of horse thieves stealing in at night, but it is hard to endure the closeness of those wooden walls. So hard to stay inside, especially in the spring time when the nights are so beautiful.

As I slow to a trot, I hear two squirrels arguing in a nearby tree. I remember yesterday the stable boy was talking to another boy and giving him his two cents on a problem, so I saunter up to the squirrels and weigh in. They both stare at me, making me feel like I should have minded my own business, and then scurry farther up the tree.

I sigh and continue on, meandering over to a pond. I guzzle some water, quenching my thirst from the run. My stomach grumbles again and I amble over to a bush to eat. Just as I eat my fill, a snake slithers out from under the bush. Startled, I rear back on my hind legs. It hisses at me angrily; I neigh back in fright. Not wanting to stick around, I turn and gallop off.

As I run, my head clears a bit and the fear subsides. I slow to a trot as I shake my head in shame. I can’t believe the sight of the snake had sent me into such a panic. It was just an ordinary garden snake, not poisonous at all!

I do hope the morning gets better, I think as I wander into a grove of trees. The shade feels nice and cools me from my run. As I relax though, I smell a horrible stench wafting along the breeze. Involuntarily drawn towards it, I peer over a bush only to find some rotting meat, a long dead carcass of some animal that predators had ripped through.

I back up quickly and again gallop away, out of the grove of trees. My stomach roils, but I manage to keep the bush down that I had eaten. I wonder if I should go back to the confines of the stable. This morning has not been such a good one.

In a slow gait, I make my way back home. As I crest a hill, I meet the prettiest filly I have ever seen. I stop and bow my head. She turns to me and neighs a hello.

I shiver a bit in nervousness. I try to act cool, flicking my tail casually. I respond to her, wishing her a good morning.

She starts to trot, and then looks back at me. My nostrils flare at the invitation. As I jog up beside her, I think that maybe home can wait a little while longer. This morning just became the best morning ever.