The Great Nathaniel

short story i wrote for abi york to translate into spanish and illustrate for her friends in nicaragua <3

Once upon a time there was a young colt named Nathaniel. He was very handsome and a very fast runner. Unfortunately he lived in a very cramped pasture so he couldn't spread his long legs and play like the other ponies he saw across the fence. At night, he dreamed of living in wild, wide open spaces with trees and dandelions to snack. "Yum," he'd think, "I'd have such a good life."
Every day he would stand near the gate and try to nudge the lock loose and every day, he couldn't get it to budge. The Great Stallion would beckon him and laugh at him; "I have so much free room to race these fastest legs. Even faster than yours!"
"You'll see!" said Nathaniel. "Someday I'll get out of here and I'll beat you and win those roses on my back!"
Two months later, a huge thunderstorm came to his barn! He was so scared and hid inside. After the storm went away he went out the pasture to see the damage. The gate's lock was gone!! He kicked open the gate and ran free! He ran as fast as he could; faster than any other horse had seen before! He ran as far as he could, but stopped. "I gotta show Great Stallion I'm faster than he'll ever be."
Nathaniel trotted over the hay stacks where he knew that great big black stallion would be eating away. "Come out here and let's race!" said Nathaniel. The Great Stallion was startled, but tried to hide it. "Alright," said the Great Stallion, "but get your goggles on, you'll be eating my dust!" Nathaniel puffed himself up and stood as tall as he could for a yearling, "I bet I can beat you and if I do, I get the title of the Great Nathaniel and I get to eat out of your hay!" The Great Stallion chuckled, "And if I win, you are to never leave your little pasture ever again. Got it?" They shook hooves and stormed off in opposite directions.
Nathaniel and the Great Stallion made a deal for the race to be at dark that evening.
When evening came, a round up of about 70 horses of all breeds and colors came to watch the spectacle.
The racetrack was very long, it followed the entire country side, up and down mountains and through forests. Nathaniel was a little scared, but he wasn't about to let the Great Stallion catch on.
"Runners, take your places!" shouted the little miniature horse. "On your mark, get set, go!" And the siren blasted the loudest sound so that every horse within 20 miles could hear. The race went on for hours, until little Nathaniel showed up with the Great Stallion nowhere to be found.
"He fell! His right leg froze up and he can't walk. He's only about 100 yards away. Someone please help!"
Nathaniel didn't cross the finish line.
Nathaniel ran along side five other horses, one was an old draft horse that had a large wagon strapped to him.
When they found the Great Stallion, everyone shuddered. He sat so quietly with his leg stuck straight out in front of him. He was the quietest he had ever been when they wheeled him to the finish line. Nathaniel neglected to realize that he didn't cross the line first, so he lost the race.
Two days later Nathaniel went to see the Great Stallion, who was bandaged up and was healing quite nicely. "Congratulations on the fine win. A deal's a deal so I won't come back over here again, but I had to say congrats."
As Nathaniel was walking away he heard movement in the stall behind him. "Come closer, kid." said the Great Stallion, "You're a fine runner and a good horse at that. You would have won that race if you hadn't come back to get me. All deals are off, but you get your side of the bargain. It's nice to meet you Great Nathaniel, and my life is in your hooves." The Great Stallion bent down to the newly inducted Great Nathaniel. The Great Nathaniel cried from happiness and jumped up and hugged the Great Stallion. As he was running home he remembered something and cantered back over to the Great Stallion's barn. "Hey! Does this mean I get to eat from your hay?"