My Little Pony [short story]

Title

Creator

Canova, B. Hill

Language

English

Source

The Young Citizen : the magazine for young people 3 (2) March 1937

46-47+

Year

1937

Subject

Short stories

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

46 THE YOUNG CITIZEN Marek, 193 i'My Little Pony By B. Hill Canova LORENZO wanted a pony. He . wanted it so badly that he talked about it all .day. Even in his sleep one night he was heard to say, "My little pony, good little pony." He was only eight years old and his parents thought he was a bit too young to manage a pony. So they tried to interest him in something else. One day a dog and pony show came to town. The fa,ther took the childre11 to see it. Lorenzo's brother, Pepe, and his sister, Anita, enjoyed the clowns, dogs, ponies, and all parts of the program. Lorenzo saw only the ponief'. He wanted one so badly that he simply sighed and groaned as he leaned against his father. "Daddy," he whispered, "couldn't I have one like those?" By and by a black and white pony trotted in the circle. Lorenzo jumped straight up in his seat and shouted out loud, "That one, Daddy, that one! Oh, he is so wonderful." "Sh-s-s," scolded Pepe and pulled hh; little brother down to his seat. "The show people would not sell theh trained ponies, but when you are a little older I'll look for a real nice one for you." That was not much comfort to Lorenzo. He wanted that particular black and white pony, and he wante<l it now. When they reached home that evening all three of the children started at the same time to tell their mother what they had seen. Pepe had enjoyed the clowns most. Anita insisted, "The dogs were the nicest." "No, no," corrected Lorenzo, "the ponies. The one black and white one was so pretty. Oh! mothe1·, if only I could have it. Don't you think the <how man would sell it· if Daddy offered him plenty of money." "I doubt it." Mo.Jrch 19&'1 HIE YOUNG CITIZEN ~7 "You ask daddy to go tomorrow and ask the show man." "They will probably be gone by morning." "If only I could have that one," moaned Lorenzo, "I would . . . " "Just what would you do if you had it?" asked his mother. "Oh, anything, mother, anything, if only I had it." "Would you stop teasing Anita?" "Yes, I'd never, never call her 'Pug Nose,' or hide her doll or thump her on the ear, or anything. I'd be such a good boy all my life." "It would be worth a half dozen ponies if something could be found to stop him of that naughty teasing,'' thought the mother to herself. That put Lorenzo to thinking. The next morning he told his father, "Daddy if you will buy a pony for me I'll be such a good boy and never tease Anita again, ever, ever," he emphasized. "Very well, that is a bargain. I can't buy the show pony, but when you ~top teasing Anita for three weeks then I'll start looking for a really nice pony." Lorenzo left the room and his father heard him call, "Anita do you want to play with my ball?" "The boy has a very firm resolution in his head right now to be nice to Anita," said the father to the mother. "Yes, but I am afraid it will not last very long. This teasing has become such a habit with him." "He might fool us. He is in dead earnest about wanting a pony. He nearly lost his wits over them at the show yesterday." "Peace between Lorenzo and Anita would certainly add harmony to the household," continued the mother. · . The days that followed Lorenzo was very kind to his little sister. He gave her first choice in everything and helped her to do her chores. When he felt tempted to tease her he would pinch himself and do something nice for her. The parents watched this change in their little boy but thought it best to say nothing. Lorenzo said nothing more to them about the pony, until one day he asked, "Daddy, how many weeks has it been since we saw the dog and pony show?" "Two weeks," was the reply. Lorenzo went out and joined his little sister, who was playing under the window. The father heard him say to the little girl, "You know, Anita, next week when Daddy gets me a pony I am going to let you have the first ride." "When Daddy gets you a pony?" asked Anita in surprise. "Yes, next week Daddy." is going to find a pony for me." (Pleo,1u• tnrn to 7Jagc 6.5) 11'/r.:rch, 1937 .1 nteresting Places MT. MAKILING By FORTUNATO ASUNCION' Have you ever scood on che cop of a towering mountain with nothing to see hue dense clouds above, dark blue sra on one side, mountain ranges dimly silhouetted againsc che distant sky on che other, and tops of tall Crees on all sides? Climb Mt. iVlakiling and you will be struck with awe at th~ sight of the beauty of nature all around you. From the School of Forestry in Los Baii.os. you can make an easy ascent to this famoU"i mountain-that is, if three or four hours' climb with all the difficulties to be encountered i~ easy. Trails will direct you to theo summit. However, one must not be surprised to find one"& self at the starting place aftf.r hours of bending, dodging twigs and thorns in following Teacher, R i z a I Elementar~ School. THE YOUNG CITIZEN MY LITTLE PONY (Co11tin1tl'd f1·01n page 46) ··How do you know he is?" ·"When Mocher and Daddy promise us something we get it, don't we~" "'Yes, of course." "Well. in one more week he will look for a pony, a very nice one . ., "Bue if he didn't promise how do you know?·' "Because when I promise ro do something I do it.·· . "You know, Lorenzo, you are getting co be a betcer play· mate than you used to be.'' "You aren't so bad eithl'r. Maybe you were too liu!C be fore." "I am getting -big now." marked six-year-old Anita. ''And you. Lorenzo, are getting very big," she said with large round eyes full of admiration and affection for her brother just two years olde: than herself. Toward the end· of the thirJ the traih. for most of them real· ly lead back to the school or forestry. One ought to beware of leeches should one attempt to climb, for near the summit they an: on the ground, on thi.: !caves, in the water, in fact, th~y are ~verywhere-and how r hey stick on your skin~ At the top is a dilapidated hut full of all sorts of inscriptions either carved or written with charcoal. This serves as a rest house. From i-he top, you may look up, down, and all about you and your gaze will be met with beauty and grandeur. 65 week the father said co th:;mother, "It looks as if we are going to have to buy the lad a pony. He has kept his promise to the letter." "Yes, and the change has certainly been for the l?etter." That evening as Lorenzo's father read his newspaper he saw an advertisement which said: "For sale. a trained show pony at th1: veterinary hospital." Early the next morning he went to see ab6uc it,. It seemed that the very pony Lorenzo had admired so in the show had fallen very sick just as the show people were about to leave town·. They felt sure the pony could not get well so they told the doctor in charg.! of the hospital to let anyon~ have it who would pay for its hospital care. Lorenzo's father bought it at once. The first Lorenzo knew of this was one morning just at <lawn the pony put its head into the window and pulled the cover off of his new master. The lictle boy was so happy chac he thn.•w his arms around the pony's neck and kissed it:; nose and ears. He called, "Ani· ta, gee up quick and come rid(' the pony." The parents were looking through the door and were pleased to sec their little son so happy as he stroked the pony's neck. saying: "My lictle pony. good little pony, you wonder· ful little pony ... The animal had found a good home and· Lorenzo and his little sister spent many happy days taking tur~s in riding and caring for the pony.

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