Twink4

Chapter Four- Twinkle in her New Home

Day One
The children would have to work very hard to keep a pony. They'd have to shovel manure. They'd have to shovel sawdust. They'd have to scrub pails, carry water, drag hay bales, drag feed sacks. They'd have to do these chores every day. They thought it would be well worth it to have a pony of their own.
Just as planned, the next morning, Mr Piersall arrived with Twinkle. He lead her down the ramp from the truck. She looked all around her. She seemed pleased with her new surroundings.
The children were so happy, they rushed over to Twinkle, hugged her and petted her and told her how beautiful she is. Twinkle, in turn nuzzled them and made soft friendly little sounds.
Mr Piersall explained that the children should allow Twinkle a few days to get used to her surroundings before riding her. They should brush her, talk to her and play with her. They should lead her around the whole place, so she could see everything. That way, she wouldn't be startled by things later, and spook when they were riding her. The children promised to do exactly what they were told.
The children, including Hare-iette, had a wonderful day with their new pony. Twinkle was as happy as a pony could be.

Day Two
When the children got to the barn in the morning, Twinkle greeted them warmly. When they went to brush her, she didn't seem to enjoy it too much. When they took her out to play, she looked around and went for a walk with the children, but she didn't have that same spring in her step, nor that same delight in her eyes.

Day Three
This morning Twinkle gave them a snort but not a real greeting. When they brushed her, she stamped her hoof and swished her tail. She was not enjoying this at all. When the children took her out for a walk, she balked and didn't want to go more than a few steps. She was definitely not in a good mood.
The children were starting to worry. Joseph said to his sister, "You know, Allanna, if we blow this and can't make her happy, we don't stand a chance of ever having a pony".
"I know, Joseph, we have to make her happy, somehow".

Day Four
Children went to the barn in the morning with some carrots and sugar cubes. Not only did Twinkle not greet them, she made some very threatening sounds and looked mad! When the children offered her the carrots and sugar, she tried to bite them. When they went in the stall to brush her, she tried to kick Joseph and pushed Allanna against the wall.
"Maybe we should leave her alone for a while".
"Good idea, Sis".

Daisy

A little later, Joseph was milking Daisy, the cow. All was peaceful. The animals were munching their hay and the chickens were scratching around looking for grain that had been dropped.
Just then, Allanna came in the barn with Jake, the dog.

Jake

Jake, being a friendly dog, rushed over to greet Twinkle. She picked up one back foot and kicked him! Jake jumped and howled with pain and fright. Startled, the chickens flew into the air flapping and squalking, like creatures from a horror movie. Feathers flew everywhere. The chickens startled Daisy, who knocked over the milk pail and the stool Joseph was sitting on, sending Joseph sprawling in a very unpleasant mix of warm milk and cow manure. Poor Joseph, he had all he could do to keep from crying.
Joseph told Allanna to go into the house and get him some clean clothes. She should definitely NOT let their grandmother see her.
Joseph put on the clean clothes and took the empty milk pail back to the house. When he got to the panty, he called to his grandmother who was working in the kitchen, "Grandma, I'm really sorry but Daisy kicked over the milk pail. I lost all the milk."
"Oh what a shame! It's OK, Joseph. It happens every once in a while".
Grandma was very surprised, and a bit worried, to find out that Joseph had taken a bath, before supper and without being told.
That evening after supper Joseph said to Allanna, "We need help."
"We sure do".
They called Hare-iette.

Click to see what day five brings