Grandpa's Horses

A flash story, testing a theme for a novel written within a novel.

GRANDPA’S HORSES

S.R. Telford

 

“Horses, Grandpa. A story about horses!”

   “Horses huh? What kind of horses?”

   “Tell me a story about magic horses,” Jazmine said, staring through bright blue eyes. The old man smiled and patted a knee.

   “Climb on up darlin’.  I’ll tell you that story.” Jazmine giggled and leaped into his lap.

   “Well now, I’ll bet you didn’t know that your great-great grandpa, my daddy’s daddy, was best friends with PRONG, leader of the magic horses.”

   “Really! Did he ride him and everything?”

   “Did he ever! In fact, Toben, King of the Enchanted Forest Little People, gave grandpa a magic whistle that only Prong could hear. No matter where he was, when grandpa blew that whistle Prong would come. . .

 

   Jazmine so looked forward to Saturday nights. She would climb into grandpa’s lap and he would make up another story, just for her.

 

   Inspired by a loving grandfather, Jazmine became an author. Her first book, Grandpa’s Horses, quickly became an international best seller.

   One evening Jazmine handed her aged grandfather a signed copy of Grandpa’s Horses. The old man picked up thick glasses with shaking hands. He opened the book and read the dedication:

To Grandpa Frank, the man that has become

My conscience, kindness and inspiration.

For you, Grandpa…

All my love, Jazmine.

 

   Frank turned wet eyes toward Jazmine. She smiled, surrendering a loving kiss. Frank clutched the book in his lap. He leaned gently back, bowed his head with a shallow smile and closed his eyes. . .  For the last time.

Author's Note

This is a flash piece. Studying a story arc for a novel written within a novel. The Novel, "Grandpa's Horses," by the Jasmine is actually written inside the novel of her life and relationship with a loving grandpa.

Reviews

[Woody]

a good short story told with heart. the sad poignant closer is the perfect ending.
thanks for sharing.

[Ke11y]

I, too, would like to add my congratulations to a well written piece of work. It touches on our emotions as if it were a letter to the world about a very special relationship. It is never an easy task to write a character's accent, but you did it with enough restraint to make it delightful. It is quite a simple story, but told by a writer with talent and heart. I look forward to reading more of your work.

[Mila]

This was so sweet and beautiful. I loved it, well done! :)

[eallen]

Sad, poignant and beautifully written. You capture so much emotion in such a short piece.