I started writing at a young age. The following is one of the first story’s I ever wrote. I was 11 and The White Horse was originally written in Spanish as an assignment in language school.
I hope it makes you smile. It’s fun to look back on where I started.

“Just one more story, Grandpa…please?!” Said eight year old Sallie Winifer.

“Oh, I’d like to but what about your mother?” Replied her Grandpa.

“Oh, Mommy won’t mind. She said I could go to bed late because it’s Christmas. Please, Grandpa?”

“Okay, okay Sallie,” laughed her Grandpa. “One more story.”

“Which one?” She asked.

“One about a white horse. Lean back, close your eyes, and listen well!”

---

A long time ago in a place far, far away, there was a girl named Annie who lived with her Mother, her Grandmother, and her white horse. Annie was very happy, but she was always hungry because the taxes were very high and her family was poor.

One day, while Annie was working in the barn, a voice said: “Oh, I see you’re hungry too, eh?”

Annie was scared because she didn’t know where the voice had come from.

“Who is it?” Said Annie, softly.

“It’s me, your white horse.” Replied the horse.

“Is it really you, little White?” Asked Annie.

“Yes, it’s me.” He replied.

“But how are you talking?!” Annie asked, confused.

“Oh, I’ve always been able to talk. I just never needed to until now.”

“Why are you talking to me now, little White?”

“Because, I have a very important job for you and I can’t say it in my language. We need to go to the castle very fast because there’s a bad king that’s trying to kill our king. So climb up on my back, little Annie!”

Without another word Annie climbed on little White’s back and they rode to the castle so they could warn the king. When they got there they told a servant about everything and then gave him a card for the king. Immediately after, the servant went to the king.

“Majesty, a card has come for you and it seems to be very urgent.” Said the servant, bowing before the king.

“Really? Where is it?” Asked the king.

“Here, Majesty.”

And this is what the card said:

Majesty,   
The king that is with you is trying to kill you. I know because a friend of mine told me, but was afraid to tell you. This man who says he’s a king isn’t.
Beware!
Your humble servant,
Annie

When the king had finished reading the card he asked the servant who had given him the card.

“A little girl on her white horse.” Replied the servant.

“Take this man and throw him in the dungeon!” Said the king, pointing at the man next to him.

“Please, no Majesty, don’t throw me in the dungeon! Have mercy on me, mercy!” cried the man.

“No! Throw him in the dungeon so he cannot escape and so that the world will know what happens when a man tries to destroy me!”

And into the dungeon he went.

When everything was done, the king lowered the taxes throughout the land in honor of Annie, and rewarded her with enough money to buy all the food they could ever want. And everything was fine for her family and her little white horse.

---

“And that’s the end of the story, Sallie.” Said Grandpa.

“Are there more stories of Annie and her white horse?” Asked Sallie.

“Yes, but not tonight, Sallie. You need to go to bed.”

“Good night, Grandpa. Thank you for telling me such good stories.” Sallie said, smiling sleepily.

“Good night, Sallie, and Merry Christmas.”

THE END

@author_ellenesceely