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 Rides Again 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.

“Grandpa, we’ve had cake and ice cream and I’ve opened my presents, so now can you tell me another story about Annie?” asked Sallie on her ninth birthday.

“Of course, Sallie. I have just the one. It happens on a birthday. Now listen carefully.”

---

After the king threw the evil king in the dungeon, Annie’s mother decided to move to a better, warmer house. As they were going along with Annie on the little white horse and the others in a wagon th-”

“A wagon like on old western movies? Like on Annie Oakley and Bonanza and-”

“Yes, Sallie, now be quiet.”

“Wow!!! Okay, I’ll be quiet now.”

And the others in a wagon they stopped. Her mother looked out and saw two men dressed in gray sitting by a fire in the middle of the road. What could they do? Annie had an idea. Without a second to lose she bent over and whispered in little White’s ear.

The first man in the road leaned over to the next.

“I’m not a thinkin’ that they’s the ones Tall.” He spoke in a loud whisper.

“Aah, shut yer mouth! They’s a lookin’ rich, na? Tell ‘em to cough up some money!” Said the second thief to the first.

“Okay.” He replied, staring at the people stopped in front of them.

“Well?” Said the second thief, thoroughly annoyed.

“Well what?” Asked the first blankly.

“Git over there and tell ‘em to give us some money!” Yelled the second thief.

The first man started to move toward the group of people, then stopped as a voice said:

“Stop right there!”

“Who are ya? Whoever ya are come out with yer hands up!” Yelled the second thief nervously.

“Well, that would be quite impossible, seeing as I don’t have any.” Replied the mysterious voice.

“Come out now! How could a feller not be havin’ any hands?” Said the first thief.

“But I don’t have any. I don’t have any feet either. Besides, I’m already out. Don’t you see me?”

“Of course not, because yer not out here unless yer a…” The man turned white and dropped his gun.

“A ghost?” asked the voice, softly.

The first bandit fainted and the second ran for his life all the while jumbling out things like, “oh, no please don’t eat me! I don’t taste good. I’m rather stiff-like. I’ll never rob again, please!”

“Well see that you don’t!” Replied the voice.

And from there they moved on. Annie’s mother and grandmother never knew where the voice had come from. Annie asked the horse if he wanted anything and all he said was that he wanted a birthday party. And he had it too, just him and Annie.

And the bandits? Where did they go? Well, the first one awoke and didn’t remember a thing so he started a candy stand.

The second one didn’t want to get in trouble again, so he became a judge in the local town and worked hard to help people who didn’t have any money.

---

“The end, Sallie.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

“Did you like it Sallie? I have some others about Annie and little White.”

“Oh, very much. When will you come and tell me another one?” Sallie asked.

“The very next time I come over,” Grandpa replied. “But right now I must go. Happy birthday, Sallie.”

THE END

@author_ellenesceely