Hopeful Hooves: A Unicorn Friendship Tale

CHAPTER TWELVE: COURAGE

There was a herd of Karkadanns near the place the three unicorns were resting for the night. Charity did not want to sleep there, because it reminded her of her injured shoulder. But Aurora told her not to worry about them. She knew the rhinoceros, as she called them, and that they were very peaceful. The Leader of the herd had a specific rule that they would abandon anyone who hurt someone else. Charity did not like this rule, but as long as nobody crushed her other leg, it would be ok.

But the next morning, a loud snort awoken all three of them. Charity gasped; it was Isabul, the one who trampled her foot.

"What are you doing here, Chipmunk?" Isabul roared at Charity, who was laying down. "I thought I was done with you, but I didn't think you should be here?"

Melody had been sleeping a couple feet away from the other two, and she watched in terror, her fur glowing blue. What is that big—no, huge, scary unicorn? And what is she going to do to us?

"I... uh... am looking for..." Charity started, but the paper from her bag flew out and landed near the large unicorn.

"What's this? A paper to heal the Land?" the Karkadann grunted. "I will take it," she said, attempting to crush the paper with her dark purple hoof.

"Can you please give it back?" Aurora said fearfully, sitting on Charity. "We need it, and we'll give you anything to have it back."

"Well then," laughed Isabul. "How about Charity's mobility? And probably yours too! And then you'll be done with the kingdom!"

She kicked her legs back, preparing to charge. She was going to trample Charity's other leg and maybe Aurora with her foot.

But as she was running, a glowing red streak jumped in front of her. It was Melody, who had been watching from afar.

"If you don't like Charity, then just leave her alone," she muttered firmly, but gently. "She's already suffered enough of your violence towards her. And give her back the paper. She needs it for her kingdom."

"You shrimpy little Zebra has no business telling me what to do," said the bigger one. Isabul decided to charge without regarding what she said, planning to stomp on the Alicorn and the Kiangicorn.

But then Melody did what nobody expected her to do.

She kicked Isabul in the chest. It wasn't hard enough to injure her, but it did hurt — a lot. The Rhinoceros moaned. "That hurt me so bad in the chest!"

"Then think about how much worse it would hurt for Charity and Aurora," Melody answered firmly. Then motioning towards her two best friends. "Let us go, my fellow mares. We have our parents to look for." Isabul snorted and walked away.

As they trotted away, Charity stated, "You attempted to stand up to Isabul, but she was a lot bigger than you. I guess you don't get scared easily."

"Charity, you have it all wrong," Melody chuckled. "I felt scared," Melody chuckled. "I felt terrified. Many people say I am a scaredy-cat because of situations that trigger my anxiety, and I kinda agree with them. But I couldn't bear to see you all trampled. I'd rather be trampled than have you trampled. My father said he wanted me to be courageous, and that is all I did."

But Charity's mind only heard the word courageous. Hmm, I think I found another letter on the paper.

"I found another letter on the paper!" she exclaimed.

"Really? What is it?" Aurora asked with glee.

"When I was at sea and my boat sank, I needed the courage to swim, though I was afraid I would drown. Your willingness to obey your parents to travel by yourself even though it was difficult took a lot of bravery. Melody's decision to leave the evil circus — that took guts to do so. And now she stood up to that big, scary Isabul even though she would trample her. That is courage. And I am sure if everyone accepted others for who they were, it would fix the kingdom. And if everyone had the courage to stand for what is right, we would have better rulers."

She dipped her horn in the nearby mud and wrote the word Courage on the paper. It now read:

THE THINGS NEEDED TO BETTER THE LAND

IN ORDER TO BETTER THE LAND, THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BEEN SEEN MUST COME FROM THE HEART IN THE HEAD. THE LAND NEEDS ACCEPTANCE, COURAGE, G_________, I______, H______, T_______, AND THE GREATEST OF ALL, M____.