Kevin's Horse Part I

Okay, no more excuses! It is time to post. I would like to take the next few days to share a story I wrote some time back for a Junior High camp:

KEVIN'S HORSE

13-year-old Kevin Simpson’s horse was an American Quarter Horse, a big horse, sixteen hands at the withers. Shortly after the horse was born, Kevin named him “Jet” because, even as a young colt, he was unbelievably fast. Now, at three years of age, the big bay gelding was a beautiful horse, with his sleek dark-brown body, his black mane and tail, and his four black stockings. And, he was still fast! Man, was he fast! He was undoubtedly the fastest horse Kevin had ever seen. Why, Kevin was pretty sure that Jet could outrun any horse that ever lived.

A neighbor of Kevin’s family, Mr. Cooper, raised thoroughbred race horses, and had constructed a race track on his property. He used the track for training his own horses, as well as horses belonging to other people who hired him to do their training for them. Kevin had often ridden his bicycle over to the track to watch the horses run. He had seen some great horses alright, every one of them a thoroughbred, born to race, but Kevin knew in his heart that Jet could easily outrun any of them for a quarter of a mile.

Well, the day had finally come that Kevin could ride Jet over to Mr. Cooper’s place to watch the racers train. With some help from his dad, Kevin had managed to break Jet to ride. He was just green-broke. He hadn’t learned to neck-rein yet, and he still acted a little skittish while he was being saddled, but once mounted and given his head, boy, could he run! On this particular morning, Kevin urged Jet out onto the road that ran between his house and Mr. Cooper’s. Jet settled into an easy canter and traveled the three miles or so in just under half an hour.

Mr. Cooper was already out by the track when Kevin and Jet arrived. So were three magnificent horses, the jockeys who sat on them, and the handlers who were leading them to the starting gate. Kevin rode Jet over near the starting gate, so he could get a better look at the thoroughbreds as they were coaxed into the gate and stood quivering, in anticipation of the bell that would signal to them that the race was on.

As soon as all three horses were in position, Mr. Cooper gave the signal and one of his ranch hands pressed the button that rang the bell and caused the gate to open. Mr. Cooper started his stopwatch as the thoroughbreds sprang out of the gate. Kevin, however, was in for a big surprise! Jet, who had been standing perpendicular to the race track, whirled around with his front legs in the air. He sort of squatted briefly on his hind legs, and then lunged forward in the direction of the racing horses. Jet came down hard on all four legs, and immediately began to run, full-out.

More tomorrow. For a great Scripture, go to http://www.makefunofyourday.blogspot.com/