A Horse Goes to the Store

Once upon a time, there was a horse named Dusty who lived on Farmer Bill Green’s farm. Farmer Bill’s farm was a happy, busy working farm. Farmer Bill had dairy cows and grew wheat and oats. Trees lined the main road into the farm. There were pastures, creeks, rolling hills, and white fences. All kinds of farm equipment were housed in a red garage. The farmhands lived in red bunkhouses. A cookhouse with lots of windows was open to everyone who lived on the farm. There was a large brass bell with a long rope that the cook rang for meals. Breakfast was served early for the farmhands. Bacon, eggs, fluffy biscuits, pancakes, waffles, tomatoes, onions, peppers, watermelon, cantaloupe, and strawberries from the garden were just a few of the breakfast items the farmhands consumed before heading out to work on the farm with their yummy snacks in brown paper bags. Lunch and dinner were also prepared, and snacks were available all day long. The large red weathered barn had a black roof and a dozen stalls. Dusty’s stall, number one, was the largest, with a double door that could be opened from the top or the bottom. He got his mail in his own personal mailbox outside his stall. The mailman brought his mail and he always honked his horn so Dusty would know he had mail even if he was out in the pasture. Dusty was a happy horse who loved to eat, work, play, and sleep. He liked long rides in the pasture, splashing in the creek, wearing pretty shoes, and eating delicious red apples and long orange carrots with green frilly tops. He loved to shop and was always eager to read the Everything Store flyers that he found in his mailbox. He would dance around and lay out the flyers and take a long look at the pretty shoes, apples, carrots, and SnickerPoodles, an all-natural animal treat for the cat and dog. He liked to read the newspaper and window shop because he hadn’t gotten the hang of the computer and online shopping. His feet just couldn’t quite make the keys work right.

After a day of work and play, he took his shoes off and played a long game of cards with the cat, Theodora, and the dog, Suzy Q, who lived in the barn.

Theodora liked to wear bright pink collars with her black fur coat. She had a white marking between her eyes and a long tail that rubbed against Farmer Bill’s legs. She loved to be petted and took long naps in the sun. Suzy Q was a black and white miniature schnauzer who loved to run and play. She sported a red leather collar. She loved to walk with Dusty to the creek near the barn or ride with her head hanging out of the window, directing the way as a copilot in Farmer Bill’s pickup. Suzy Q had a special place on the couch in Farmer Bill’s office, where she kept an eye on Farmer Bill, ears for the farm hands, and a nose for the delicious smells coming out of the kitchen. Dusty was usually a happy horse, but, today, he was not. His feet hurt. His shoes did not fit anymore. He needed a new pair of shoes, and he was sure he also needed some more apples, carrots, and SnickerPoodles so this meant shopping—serious shopping. Did he like to shop? Indeed, he did!