Our Favorite Pet Stories

Wild and Free
Jennie Williams (Dusty)
& Ashley Perveiler (Kunama)

A young chestnut mare grazed quietly in the paddock. Her name was Dusty. She lived at Silver Star Ranch in Montana. Dusty did not like life at Silver Star Ranch. Her owner, Mr. Allen, was mean to her. He had two boys who never paid attention to any horse. She was the only lightweight horse there, for the rest were draft
breeds.

Later Dusty galloped along the edge of the fence to keep her legs from swelling. “Never shall I go into the barn again!” she cried. Mr. Allen had locked Dusty up in her stall three days before. This morning he had come in and tormented Dusty before letting her into the paddock.

Suddenly Dusty heard a soft whinny. She stopped abruptly to look around. She saw a small palomino mustang with amber eyes staring back at her. Dusty turned to run but the mustang called her back. “Please help me,” she sobbed. “My name is Kunama, my family is all dead. Man killed them. Please attract your owner, for he
will surely help me!” “He will kill you,” screamed Dusty, “He tried to kill me! But you can visit me, and please do, I get lonesome,” said Dusty in a calmer voice.

Kunama’s eyes glowed. “I’d love to visit you! I’ll come every day, rain or shine!” Kunama remained faithful to her promise. They visited each other for two months. Then one day Kunama did not come. Dusty was worried. “Perhaps she did not feel like coming,” said Dusty. But Kunama did not return that day or week. Finally
Dusty could stand the suspense no longer. She managed to jump the fence and escape. She searched high and low for Kunama. Dusty became so tired that she dropped to the ground and fell asleep.

Later that night Dusty woke to a piercing cry. It was Kunama! Dusty glanced around looking for her friend. Eventually she found Kunama lying on the ground in agony. Her golden coat was torn and bleeding. “A cougar,” was all she could say. Dusty comforted Kunama for the rest of the long stormy night.

The next day Kunama bathed in the river. Her coat looked much better than it had the night before. As the days passed Kunama healed rapidly. One day Dusty decided that Kunama was well enough to make it to the secret valley.

They were walking along, minding their own business, when suddenly a man jumped out from behind the bushes. It was not just any man, it was Mr. Allen. He chased them half way to the secret valley, but they outdistanced him.

Three hours later, Dusty and Kunama galloped into the secret valley. Kunama cried, “Home!” Dusty answered, “We are wild, we are free!” A rainbow rose to greet them and swarms of butterflies rose and cloaked them.

They were wild.
They were free.

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