Midnight's Gift

Sixteen year old Jessica loved living in the hills of Wyoming. Most girls her age were interested in boys and school activities. That wasn't the case with Jessica. She loved horses and she learned to train horses from her father Lyle Norton and her brother Tim. She knew how to rope a horse and always won the local horse shows. The horses she trained and loved always won best of show. Jessica was proud of her expertise with horses. There was only one horse she couldn't train. The beautiful wild black stallion she had called Midnight. Midnight was the leader of the wild horses that hung around the valley. She had kept track of that magnificent animal for three years. Midnight, his mares and two other stallions came to the same watering hole everyday. Jessica would be there as much as possible to see the beautiful wild horses. What she wouldn't give to make Midnight her own horse! Her father and Tim had told her to dream on. Don't go anywhere near the horses! Jessica kept her distance but she kept hoping.
Jessica would sit several feet away from the watering hole while the horses drank. Midnight noticed Jessica all the time. He would look at her and knew she wasn't a threat to his horses or the new born colts. One day, Jessica got brave. She had some carrots and apples with her. She put a carrot close to Midnight. Midnight started to stand on his back legs but Jessica dropped the carrot down and he ate it. He looked at her and shook his mane but the look in his eyes said "Thank you." Jessica just smiled.
Jessica bought treats for Midnight everyday. One day, Jessica was late getting to the watering hole. Her horse, Golden Boy, she was riding, was scared by a growling noise. He reared back and Jessica fell on the ground. She had injured her ankle. She didn't have time to worry about that. A cougar was getting ready to pounce on her! Jessica screamed. Midnight kicked the cougar before it had a chance to pounce on Jessica. The cougar landed in the water. It was stunned but got up, shook herself then ran away. Midnight was in touching distance. Jessica reached out and touched the animal's coat. He was so beautiful and felt so good under her fingertips. Midnight looked at Jessica and shook his mane then backed away. Jessica wasn't able to get home. Her horse had deserted her. Midnight went over to Jessica and let her pet his nose. Jessica tried to stand and Midnight kneeled down and let Jessica get on his back! She was so thrilled! Midnight started to go forward as Jessica hung on. The horse knew where to take her.
Lyle and Tim were upset when Golden Boy came back without Jessica. They saddled up two of the other horses when Jessica entered the gates riding Midnight! Tim was getting ready to yell when Lyle put a hand on his shoulder and Tim backed off. Jessica had trouble trying to get down but Lyle walked over gently and took Jessica off the horse. Lyle patted the great beast but Midnight ran off. Jessica told her father and Tim how she had been feeding him snacks and about the cougar. They were grateful to the black stallion.
Jessica would visit the waterhole and bring treats for the horses and sometimes, Midnight would let her pet him but he was still a wild horse. One day, Jessica noticed a beautiful dark brown horse and a new born colt that was black! What a beautiful colt! It was Midnight's colt! Jessica fell in love with the colt! She looked forward to watching the colt everyday. One day, Jessica went to the watering hole and saw the dark brown horse lying by the water. She went up to her slowly. The horse was dead. It had been shot! Jessica cried and layed her head on the horse. Who could do such an awful thing?! Midnight came up behind her and nudged Jessica. She threw her arms around him and cried. Midnight was upset as well. They heard noises coming up behind them. It was Lyle. Midnight ran off. "Daddy. Who did this?" she cried.
"The man's name is Otis Rogers. He hated wild horses and he shot this one. He was arrested today. The man is evil. He shot and killed his wife in Montana and he was on the run. I'm sorry about this, Jess. Some people have no heart."
Jessica nodded. "What about her and Midnight's baby? The beautiful black colt?"
Lyle patted her arm. "Midnight and the other female horses will raise him. All animals love their babies."
Lyle and Jessica went home. Jessica couldn't sleep. It was a night full of stars and she heard the horses nighing. This sound was different then the sound horses normally made. Jessica looked out the window and saw Midnight and the little black colt by the gate. She tiptoed down the stairs and out the door to the gate where Midnight and the colt were. Jessica smiled. She reached out and petted the little colt. She threw her arms around Midnight. The black stallion nudged the little colt and looked at Jessica. The little colt looked at Jessica and Midnight pawed the ground gently. Midnight started to leave and the little colt walked away from the black stallion. Midnight shook his head up and down then nuzzled the colt then went to Jessica and nuzzled her. JESSICA UNDERSTOOD. Midnight was giving her his son! Jessica hugged the little colt then hugged Midnight. Midnight started to whine in his horse voice. "Oh, Midnight, I will love him and take good care of him. I will call him Black Thunder. I love you, Midnight and I will treasure Black Thunder, too." Midnight reared up and left. Jessica slept in the barn with Black Thunder that night.Lyle and Tim weren't surprised when Jessica told them about Midnight's visit and bringing the colt. Jessica trained Black Thunder and he became a great show horse. She rode Black Thunder down to the watering hole when ever she could and they saw Midnight. He would always run up to Jessica and his colt. It was always a happy time. Jessica was always happy for the friendship she had with Midnight and Black Thunder, her cherished horse. Her precious gift from Midnight.