Maggie's Horse

Maggie's Horse
By
Terry Burres


Maggie ran down the stairs so fast that her Ma had to tell her to slow down. Maggie looked at her Ma and grinned the biggest smile she could manage.

"Good morning, Ma," Maggie said."Guess what day it is?"

"Well, let me see here...I think it's Tuesday." Ma teased scratching her head, pretending to think."I know that it's not Groundhog Day or Christmas. It's too hot outside since it's August."

"Ma!" Maggie giggled. "It's not Christmas. It's my Birthday!"

"Oh, that's right. It is your Birthday. Well, Happy Birthday to you. How does it feel to be another year older?" Ma asked as she turned back to the stove to turn over the flapjacks in the frying pan.

" It's just fine, I think." Maggie giggled. Maggie sniffed the warm flapjack smells. She knew that Ma had the flapjacks just because of her birthday. Sitting down at the table she saw a small present sitting beside her plate.

Maggie looked at the brightly wrapped box shape. She did not touch it. She looked at Ma. But Ma, was turned to the stove, and Ma was not even looking at her.

Maggie knew that the box was her birthday present. What could Ma have wrapped in such a small box? Maggie didn't know if she could wait until after breakfast to open such a pretty box. Just as she was about to rip open the present she heard Pa coming in from doing chores.

"Morning Glory," Pa said as he hung up his outside hat. "How's my birthday girl this fine sun shiny morning?"

Maggie walked over to Pa and gave him a hug as he dried his hands after washing up. "Hi Pa," Maggie smiled up at her Pa.

"Breakfast is on the table if ya'll are hungry." Ma told them.

"Hungry! I'm hungry enough to eat Cleo."Pa laughed as he
took his regular set at the table.

Pa, Ma, and Maggie ate the flapjacks with warmed honey syrup. The bacon was crispy and the fried apples were sweet. Ma had made all Maggie's favorite breakfast things. Maggie kept watching the box that set beside her. When all of the food was gone and they were all full Pa picked up the box. He looked at Ma and shared a secret smile. Pa handed the box to Maggie without a word.

Maggie opened the present that she had been wondering about. She carefully untied the ribbon, pulled the paper apart and lifted the lid. In the box was a bright piece of red paper. On the paper were the words printed in the neat handwriting that belonged to her Ma. They said,
" Happy Birthday Maggie.
For your birthday present you'll have
to go to the back porch.
Love,
Ma and Pa."

Maggie looked first at Ma then at Pa but they just smiled back. Maggie ran giggling to the wide shady back porch. There sitting in the cool shade stood the most amazing sight that Maggie had ever seen. It was a HORSE. Not just a regular hobby horse like other kids might have. It was silver white with a red saddle and bridle. It sparkled even in the shade. The mane and tail were made of real horse hair. Maggie could not believe that this glorious horse belonged to her.

"O-o-oh Ma, Pa," Maggie whispered." This is the best birthday present I ever had. Thank You!" Maggie turned around and gave Ma and Pa hugs and kisses.

"Well, I hope you have a good time riding to far away places." Pa hugged her back. "As for me, I need to get to work. See ya this evening."

Maggie waved as Pa walked over and got into the truck. Ma gave her an extra hug and walked back into the house. Maggie was alone with her horse.

"What a lovely you are." Maggie patted the horse with the coal black mane. "I love you."

Putting her foot in the silver stirrup Maggie pulled herself up into the saddle of the big horse. Maggie started the rocking motion of the horse. It was so smooth that Maggie felt as if she were really riding a real horse.

She closed her eyes and let the gentle swaying of the horse flow with her. Maggie giggled and opened her eyes. This was the best present she had ever had in her life.

When Maggie went into the house at lunch she gave her Ma a hug around her waist. "Ma guess what? I know a perfect name for my horse." Maggie smiled. "His name is Silver Cloud."

" Silver Cloud? That's an unusual name, why did you call your horse that name?" Ma asked.

"That's just his name Ma. That's the name that fits him." Maggie sat at the table and started to eat her lunch.

"Well Sweetie I guess that's as good a name as any. How about some lemonade?" Ma asked.

That afternoon Maggie took her doll Lily out on the back porch and sat in the shade of the deep back porch. She played in the coolness with her doll and over the next few days Maggie spent most of her time on the back porch with Silver Cloud and Lily.

As the long summer days passed Maggie begin to think of her play things as real. When she was riding Silver Cloud he was as smooth as flying on a cloud. With the wind in her face she could pretend that Silver Cloud was a real horse running over the fields and hills that were behind her house.

The days started to grow cooler and Maggie grew each day to love her horse. She imagined that they were climbing the hill to the very top. Maggie knew that Silver Cloud could talk to her. She knew that Silver Cloud could take her anywhere. No matter where she wanted to go Silver Cloud would whisk her there. All Maggie had to do was imagine herself there -whisss - there she was.

One day as Maggie was riding high on the hill she saw her father working in the field. Further across the valley Mr. Marsh was mending a fence. Maggie started looking around. As far as Maggie could see there were farms all-around.

There were fields, trees, streams, barns, fences, and houses. Maggie watched as clouds floated over Mr. Langs' lake. There was so much to see.

Maggie turned Silver Cloud around and started down the steep hill to her back porch. She could feel the wind blow through her hair. The rocking motion almost rocked Maggie to sleep.

Maggie saw the back porch shade reaching out to them. Silver Cloud swayed slowly to a stop about ten seconds before Ma came out onto the porch. Ma waved Maggie into the kitchen to get ready for Supper.

As Maggie climbed down from her horse she stopped and couldn't move. There on the floor under Silver Cloud's hoofs were leaves and small clumps of mud that should not be there. Ma had swept the floor just that morning. Maggie bent down and stuck out her finger and touched one of the clumps. THE CLUMP WAS DAMP!

Maggie quickly drew her finger back. Maggie sat and watched clump dry.

"Maggie are ya coming today?" Ma asked. " If you wait much longer everything will be cold. Pa is waiting to start eating."

Walking into the kitchen Maggie almost forgot to wash her hands and face. "Maggie, What is the matter." Ma wanted to know.

"Ma," Maggie began "Do you think that Silver Cloud could.....Well could he be ......Well.."

"Landsake child," Ma laughed, "Just say it. Could Silver Cloud do what?"

Pa sat and silently watched Maggie as she tried to ask her question. Pa's eyes grew soft and finally he reached out for Maggie's hand. "Don't worry so Maggie."

Maggie just stared at Pa. Could PA know about Silver Cloud wondered Maggie? She didn't ask she just ate her supper and watched as Pa and Ma talked of their day and what they did.

Maggie sat on steps halfway in the house and halfway on the porch the next day. She watched Silver Cloud while Lily sat on her lap. Maybe Silver Cloud didn't really move up the hill thought Maggie. Maybe he has never moved. "Do you think that Silver Cloud really moved off the porch?" Maggie whispered. She hugged Lily tight. Gathering her courage she stood up and walked toward Silver Cloud.

Still holding Lily Maggie slowing climbed on to Silver Cloud. Maggie looked all-around. She saw the back of the house, the yard, the barn, and the hill. It all looked like it should.

Maggie started rocking but Silver Cloud stayed on the back porch. She held Lily. Pa walked from the shadows of the barn. Smiling Pa came across the yard the separated the barn from the house.

"Sunshine I need to tell you a secret. Silver Cloud is a very special horse. When I got him I wanted a one-of-a-kind rocking horse for a one-of-a-kind girl. I believe when you started loving Silver Cloud his magic started working. That is why when I came into supper yesterday you were not here. Where did you go?" Pa said.

"You know that I was at the top of the hill?" Maggie asked. "I didn't know if we had really truly left the porch or if it was just a dream."

"Ya wasn't dreaming little bird. Just be careful where ya go on your cloud." Pa smiled.

"Yes Pa," said Maggie and she climbed off the rocking horse so she could hug her Pa.

As Pa went in the house Maggie swung up in the stirrups rocking Silver Cloud as she settled on the saddle. As it had happened before Maggie could feel the two of them drifting over the ground past the barn and up the hill.

Half way up the hill Maggie glided under a tree. As she turned to look back down the hill she lost her balance and fell off the rocking horse. There was Maggie on the ground and there stood Silver Cloud swaying gently.

Maggie stood up and looked at the house down the hill. Maggie turned and stood watching the sky shine over the top of the hill. She ran down the hill to the back porch.

Pa walked out of the house and saw Maggie coming down the hill. He walked over to Maggie and looking up the hill he saw Silver Cloud gleaming in the sunlight. Without saying a word Pa took Maggie's hand and together they walked up the hill. When they reached Silver Cloud Pa just bent over to pick it up and then he and Maggie walked back down the hill. Pa put the horse under the roof of the porch then he ruffled Maggie's hair.

"The next time ya fall off Mag just get back on and start over." Pa walked toward the barn.

Maggie petted Silver Cloud on his sun warmed neck and whispered, “Next time I will. Good night my Lovely."