Singer’s Amazing Journey: Part I the Woach Spar

By Russell Smith

In the year 15540 the earth is quite different. The few humans that survived “Pollution man’s” poisoning of the earth have evolved into specialized creatures but now only living off what nature offers. But through all the changes the earth and its creatures have seen, does divine intervention still exist? As Singer starts her extraordinary journey she shows us that indeed that was the one thing that never changed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Jun 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781483485294

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SMITH

Copyright © 2018 Russell Smith.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-8528-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-8530-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-8529-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018905188

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 08/31/2018

To my mother, who taught me about guardian angels, and to all my children, because without their imaginative minds, this story would never have been written.

Prelude

Every so often in this wild, wonderful world, an animal is born who is quite special and unique. This does not happen often, but when it does, and if one is lucky enough to live in the presence of such a creature, that animal will change you, and it will give you things of great value -- not things one can touch, but intangible things that can be held in one’s heart -- precious gifts of beauty that can be kept for a lifetime. This is the story of one such an animal with a heartfelt message that the authors hope you will pass on for generations to come.

Birth

IT WAS APRIL 17, 15540, in the prairies of what used to be called Colorado. Snowflake lay on the ground all night in labor, fighting through wave after wave of miserable pain that always comes before birth. Snowflake’s herd had gathered around as the elderly mares sensed the time was near. Then it happened, as the first slivers of sunlight shone upon the fizzy notions flowers, the little body of a baby horse entered its new world. When the baby was born, it was the most beautiful female foal anyone had ever seen. Her coat was pure white like a fresh winter snow. Goldie, who was the wise old king of the herd, said, That is a beautiful horse you have, Snowflake. What are you going to name her?

Without hesitation, Snowflake answered, I will name her Singer.

Oh, what a pretty name! exclaimed Sunflower, a dear friend of Snowflake. How did you come up with that name?

I am wishing and hoping that she has a beautiful singing voice, Snowflake replied.

Snowflake, since you have the best voice in the herd, I am sure you will become a great teacher for Singer, Goldie said.

Yes, what a treat it would be to have two great singers! Sunflower exclaimed. The rest of the horses grinned their toothy smiles and tossed their manes in agreement. It was a great day for Snowflake and the entire herd, because a new life had come to join them. Little did they know how much this fledgling would change their lives.

The first few weeks of Singer’s life were magical. Her mother gave her plenty of milk to grow strong and sang beautiful songs to her baby every day, hoping to instill the love of music in Singer’s life. All of the other young horses enjoyed showing Singer how to run and play. Singer’s world could not have been more perfect.

Then things began to change. Snowflake was the first to notice the humps just above Singer’s shoulders. There was an obvious knot on each side. Snowflake brought this to Goldie’s attention, who examined the protrusions and replied, Yes, Snowflake, I see what you mean, there does seem to be two humps.

With a look of concern, Snowflake asked, What do you think this means?

Goldie, the wise old king, assured her, I am sure it is nothing to worry about. It is probably how the great horse spirits made her. Goldie’s words had comforted Snowflake. No wonder he was king of the herd! As the weeks passed, and Singer grew, the humps became larger and larger. The older horses started to notice and their tongues began to wag with gossip.

Shame

"WHAT ARE THOSE UGLY BUMPS on Singer’s back?" the older horses asked one another.

I don’t know, but she is certainly not going to play with my children! said Darcey, one of the mares.

Good idea, said Millie, another mother horse. It could be some kind of illness or something even worse!

Oh my! whinnied another. We should all probably stay away from her. The sires agreed. Soon Snowflake could see what was happening.

None of the older horses would let their young play with Singer. The yearlings asked their parents over and over again, Why can’t we play with Singer? The older horses with the grey whiskers told them that there was something wrong with Singer. Sadly, the young began to believe the elders. This was difficult to imagine, because a few weeks earlier, the entire herd admired the new foal. With the deformities on her back, no one wanted anything to do with her. Only her mom and Goldie would go near her.

Pinto was a wild and spirited colt who did not fit in with the others, and could have cared less about Singer’s humps, and so, a friendship bloomed between them. Every day the normal horses would play together, excluding Singer and Pinto. The two outcasts spent hours together, racing and playing in the fields. They were rapidly becoming the best of friends, even though Pinto’s mother, Sunflower, warned him to stay away from Singer. Sadly, Sunflower used to be Snowflake’s best friend, and as the other horses turned against Singer, Sunflower felt pressured to betray her friend, even though in her heart it didn’t feel quite right.

One golden blue day when Pinto was frolicking alone, chasing butterflies in a field, a palomino named Tia sneaked up behind Singer and gave her a mighty shove, pushing her down in a deep mud hole. All the other horses started snorting, stomping the ground, and imitating the way she fell and how she sat motionless and wide-eyed. Singer opened her mouth, but nothing came out but a sad squeak. All the other horses began laughing harder, as if it was the most hilarious thing they had ever heard. Singer struggled to get up, and when she eventually did, amidst their unrelenting taunting, she galloped away to a quiet refuge and wept bitterly. She felt truly alone and afraid. When there were no more tears to cry, she slowly trudged back to the herd with her head down.

The next day, Tia cantered into the middle of the group, reared up, and was about to charge at Singer again, but when Tia was galloping, she caught her hoof and tripped over a rock. Singer spun around in time to see her trip, and rushed out of the way just as Tia plunged headfirst into the mud. All the other horses began throwing their heads back and laughing at Tia as she wallowed in the black mud. Suddenly, the sleek palomino looked more like a pig rather than a pretty pony. Pinto had heard what Tia had done to Singer the day before and snorted, That’s what you get for pushing other horses around.

Another horse chimed in, Yeah, maybe next time you will watch where you’re going!

Singer offered to help Tia, but she just shook her head as she looked down at her twisted hoof. Does it feel…broken? Singer asked softly.

Yeah, it hurts pretty bad, Tia sniffed, amazed at Singer’s concern.

I’ll go get Goldie! Singer yelled over her shoulder, galloping as fast as she could.

A few minutes later, Singer came back with Goldie galloping behind her. It looks pretty swollen, Goldie said, shaking his head. What were you doing?

Something I shouldn’t have been doing, Tia answered shamefully, looking ruefully at her hoof.

It will heal in a few days time. Until then, think before you act, Goldie scolded. Singer, can you help Tia to her mother?

Of course, Goldie, Singer said quietly, gently nudging Tia up.

Walking slowly to her mother, Tia asked, Singer, why would you want to help me if I pushed you in the mud yesterday?

I didn’t want you to feel the embarrassment I felt when no one helped me when I was sprawling in the mud, Singer answered matter-of-factly.

I’m very sorry I bullied you, Tia apologized. She felt like a fool for treating Singer so badly, and her heart was heavy with regret.

The next day, Pinto became ill with a fever. His mother placed all the blame on Singer. I saw Pinto playing with her the other day after I told him not to, and now he is deathly ill! Sunflower told one of the other horses. Snowflake was shocked and hurt that her friend would turn on her and her daughter. Sunflower was obviously a fair-weather friend, and Singer was sad and disappointed, because Pinto was her only friend and playmate. Now, because he was sick, no one would play with her.

Mom, how come none of the other horses will play with me? Singer asked tearfully.

But before Snowflake could answer, a group of yearlings trotted up and began to sing tauntingly, Singer is a humpy back, humpy back. Singer is a humpy back and she’s so freaky.

Snowflake’s heart sank, seeing the tears welling up in Singer’s brown eyes as the insulting words were hurtled at her precious daughter. There was nothing Snowflake could do. Mom, what is wrong with me?

Snowflake looked at her baby’s sorrowful face and said softly, Singer, I know this is difficult to understand, but sometimes young horses will say thoughtless things that they don’t mean to say.

Tears still rolled down Singer’s long nose. But mom, why did they call me a freak?

It is because you are special, Snowflake said.

I am special, why? Is it because I am a humpy back? Singer asked woefully.

No Singer, you are special because your father is special, Snowflake explained.

My father? Which horse is my father? asked Singer.

"He doesn’t live among