The True Adventures Of Carbon

By Sue Lamoree

A little horse with a huge personality. In The True Adventures of Carbon, a spunky pony captures our hearts with his unselfish nature and undying loyalty to his friends. Told in his own words, Carbon's story is based on actual events taken from his unique life. Carbon's experiences, while growing up on Pa's small family farm, teach him about friendship and loss as barnyard animals come and go. This strongwilled and clever pony gets himself into a great deal of mischief which often leaves him questioning whether he fits in. What Carbon doesn't realize is that his kindhearted spirit is cherished by all. As he matures into a fine young stallion, Carbon gradually learns about the accepting nature of love and family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781641914048

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The True Adventures of Carbon

Sue Lamoree and Nyle Kinghorn

Illustrations and cover art by Rebel Lippert

ISBN 978-1-64191-403-1 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64191-404-8 (digital)

Copyright © 2018 by Sue Lamoree and Nyle Kinghorn

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

sue1026

I

My Arrival

Awarm, wet tongue gently bathed me as I lay shivering in some straw. Then a soothing voice spoke from above. Welcome to the world, little one. Blinking my eyes against the bright sunlight, I looked up to a kind face hovering over me. I’m your mother.

Where am I?

On Pa’s farm. Mother brushed my forelock with her velvety muzzle. It’s a good thing he put down that straw last night—we’ve been expecting you.

I was lying in the corner of a trampled dirt corral under a tarp stretched between two maple trees. Morning sun peeked through the leaves, and hundreds of birds filled the air with their songs. My nose caught a whiff of the sweet, moist straw that lay beneath me.

There were so many things to take in. I spotted a rabbit poised at the edge of a wooded area cautiously glance around and then spring into the bushes. Feeling something brush my knee, I looked down and watched a tiny ant carry its heavy load through a tunnel in the straw. Swish … a snake slithered through the dew-covered grass and coiled itself in a patch of warm sunlight.

I was content soaking up my new environment, but Mother had other plans. Time to stand up, little one. What was she thinking? I had no idea how to use the long, spindly legs tucked under me.

Mother nudged me with her nose a second time. "You must be prepared for predators." Although the sun had taken most of the chill out of the air, I could still see her breath as she spoke.

"Predators?"

Animals that think horses make a great meal, she explained. Our best defense is to run—fast!

Frightened by Mother’s warning, I stretched my legs and tried putting some weight on the front hooves first. That seemed to work, so I started to push my back legs up.

Whoa-whoa, umpf! I exclaimed, landing right back on my belly with my legs spread-eagled.

You’ve got the right idea, Mother coaxed. Try again.

This time, I tried leaning on my front knees and stretching out my back legs with my rump sticking high in the air. That didn’t work either! Sputtering straw from my mouth, I looked at my mother in utter frustration. But Mother kept pushing, so I kept trying, and after several attempts, my wobbly legs finally held me. Slowly, and very unsteadily, I made my way to Mother’s belly and took several gulps of her sweet, warm milk.

After nursing on my mother’s teat for quite some time, I felt strong enough to walk, so I wandered over to the makeshift wire fence encircling the corral and ducked under it. Mother firmly stomped her foot, sending up a spray of rocks. Get back here! she whinnied. Just because you’re half Arab doesn’t mean you have to act hotheaded! You’re not ready …

She was too late! A crazed animal came out of nowhere and pounced at me, barking fast and furiously. But I wasn’t about to be scared off, even if the beast did look ferocious. I put my head down and snorted. This will stop him, I thought. Instead, he bounded closer and barked even louder. Remembering Mother’s words, Run—fast, I whirled around, darted back under the fence, and quickly found my way to the safety of her side.

So, she scolded, you’re not so brave after all. Maybe next time you’ll listen to your mother.

The crazed animal ran up the hill behind us and continued to bark. I stood real close to Mother. "W-was that a predator?"

Mother laughed. Wild canines—like coyotes and wolves—are considered predators. Paco’s a German shepherd, so it’s his job to guard his pack, which, for Paco, is Pa and the family. He just gets a little excited.

I was still trembling uncontrollably. I’d hate to see him angry.

Mother’s ears perked up. Paco’s barking must’ve awakened Pa’s family. She turned her head. See the house up there? I followed her gaze and nodded. That’s where Pa and his family live.

A two-story house was perched on the top of the hill, overlooking the corral and a large vegetable garden. Several people were outside. With Paco in the lead, they raced down the hill shouting.

The foal’s amazing! yelled one small voice.

He looks just like his mother, cried another.

Can we pet him, Pa? Voices came from every direction.

Now that Paco had calmed down a bit, I could understand what he was saying too. Look! he barked. "There are two horses now. Where’d the little one come from? What’s he doing here?"

A tall man shouted over the chaos. Quiet down! Don’t frighten the foal! Meanwhile, Mother danced nervously around me.

I stood motionless, like birds do when they sense danger. From the way Mother was acting, I was afraid I might be in danger. The tall, loud man Mother called Pa slowly entered the corral and walked toward us. I shrank further behind Mother, hoping he wouldn’t see me. Mother stopped dancing, allowing Pa to place his hand on her flank, walk around her, and face me. It’s okay, little fella, I won’t hurt you. This time he spoke softly.

Mother obviously trusted Pa, because she let him come right up to me. I took a few steps back. Come with me, boy. Pa held out his hand, offering something sweet smelling. I stretched my