Meadow

if we have the courage to pursue them

Her petite hooves flew over the stiff ground of her home, carrying her quickly away from her protesting and exhausted mother. For once, finally, Eve seemed to have given into her youngest daughter's whims. Rather than being one stride behind her, chiding her for exuberance, the mare sighed and advised Ursula to be safe and stay near home. Ha, as if she were going to listen. This was her first true taste of freedom and she wasn't about to waste it.

The roaned yearling launched herself into the already-frigid surf as soon as she was out of sight of her parents, a shout of laughter gleefully leaving her lips. Shivers of cold and excitement crept through her body as she was tossed about in the choppy water. There were so many places she could choose that she had no idea where to begin, so she allowed the current to make the first decision.

Reality set in as soon as she washed ashore on the largest of the islands. An enormous mountain loomed overhead, and there was a buzz of voices. Ursula's confidence faltered for just a moment. Dripping wet on the sandy beach, with a brisk autumn wind chilling her further, she felt more vulnerable than perhaps she ever had. However, as she glanced to either side of her and saw nothing overtly threatening, the rush of adventure filled her with joy once again.

Bucking once just for good measure, she began to prance about the meadow, pausing first at a rotting stump and then at an oddly perfect circle of fungi sprouting beneath an evergreen. It felt as though nothing could ruin her mood on this glorious day.

That is, until a tiny voice brought Ursula lurching to a halt. She froze, a new kind of cold creeping through her body. Though she often complained to Eve and Solomon how boring they made her life, she ultimately lived with a lot of privilege whether or not she cared to admit it. Logically she knew bad things could happen, but she had never heard anyone sound so in the depths of sadness. Her dark ears swiveled, straining to catch another sound from the stranger in distress. There wasn't anything as clear as the initial word, but she thought maybe she could hear a sniffle back in the direction of the beach.

The spotted yearling hesitated again, debating whether she could (or should) pretend that she'd heard nothing. Grudgingly, she turned away from her fun and trotted back the way she'd come, flicking her tail in mild annoyance. What a day to have morals.

When she finally found him, any ill feelings about being interrupted melted away. Yes, Ursula was young and foolish and often brash, but she had a big heart too. Seeing the younger colt laying curled and alone sent a pang of intense sympathy right through her chest. Without hesitation, she trotted over to him, nickering gently as she approached.

She knew exactly what she wanted to do, and what Eve would have wanted her to do, but she stopped herself short of touching him just yet, lest she frighten him. Instead, she lowered her head as close to his level as she could and softly spoke to him. "Um, hi...I'm Ursula. Are you okay?" She cringed at herself. Of course he wasn't okay. "Uh. I mean - is there anything I can do?" There, that still wasn't perfect but it was better than nothing.