It was coming up to that time again and the ranger was coming for me, it’s been 4 years since he has started trying to capture me. Every year he has failed to get me. But I know it’s coming up.
What’s that sound, I thought with the lingering taste of sweet spring grass still in my mouth. It was coming again and I knew that the next few hours can determine my future.
I just run, the canyon will be a safe place for me for now they have never found me there, but each year they get close. It’s harder now with the herd I have; we have grown considerably larger since last springtime. The problem with it now is the ranger, I can’t get away as fast with my herd and the foals and the way there, through the waterfall and then across the plains. The sides are so steep; you need to be a very sure-footed horse. I have seen some fall and you feel there pain in your heart, though you can’t do anything to help them.
I hear it again and with the flick of my head I stop grazing. I see them now. They have put up there traps again. But there were more now.
“Come, Come,” I urgently called to my herd, “The chase is going to happen, go to the canyon.”
As quick as that the pounding of hooves came over the ridge. The ranger is back but with more men this year. I have to run for my life, only the strongest will make it out uncaptured.
As I’m running I notice that the fences have been put up blocking the way. The memory of last year is haunts my thoughts. I lost my mother but her lingering words are still there keeping me going. “Stay Safe, my beautiful boy,” the last words from my mother repeats through my mind
“I will fight for you mother,” I whispered to myself under my breath.
But I spoke to soon. Now through the horizon I can see the glimpse of a fire burning off over the following hill. The smoke is starting to bellow down the hill.
Now the only way to escape is to run parallel to the fire to scaring the ranger off and then I will have time to break through. It was my plan I know that if I don’t succeed then this would be the end to me.
With the fire flaring up next to me I can feel it throughout my body. It is hard for me to cope with it this moment. My life balances on how I act now but I know that with my mother words in my mind I will get through this and just for her.
Through the fire I can see the light on the other side and knew that now is the time to go. I ran and with all the flames around my breathing is intensifying but I can’t breathe in the smoke or I will be gone. So I just hold it for now. It is for my life in the end.
I made it through the smoke and the roaring flames. I have made it through it safely. The canyon is going to be an easy haven from here now through the refreshing waterfall to cool off then a quick dash across the plains. My safety is close in my sights.
Finally, I have made it and with the threat of the ranger well away I can rest easy for the next few days. All I need is right with me but I have the feeling I lost my herd. And with breeding season coming up soon the fights will be coming forward to me and soon I will have a new one. Mother saved me though she is watching over me and with her words I am here now and safe. Which as she would say is the main thing.
