Flirt, the Clover-Loving Horse

Flirt, the Silver Dapple Horse

Kaelyn and Marrick always enjoyed their visits to the nearby farm where they could feed the animals. But their favorite animal was a beautiful silver dapple horse, named Flirt. Flirt loved to eat clover and would come running to the fence to greet the children every time they visited.

One sunny day, Kaelyn and Marrick were eager to visit their dear friend Flirt. They gathered up some clover for her and headed over to the farm. As soon as Flirt saw them, she neighed with joy and trotted to the fence. The children fed her clover and patted her soft nose.

After a while, Kaelyn began to feel a little thirsty and asked Marrick if he had brought any water. But Marrick didn't bring any. Kaelyn was disappointed, but then she remembered a race she had won against Marrick when they were playing tag last week. She challenged Marrick to a race to the water trough. If Kaelyn won, Marrick would have to go get her a cup of water; but if Marrick won, Kaelyn would have to do his chores for a week.

Marrick was confident that he could beat Kaelyn, so he agreed to the race. The two children stood behind the starting line and, on the count of three, took off running. Kaelyn was fast, but Marrick was faster. He was already halfway to the water trough when Kaelyn stumbled and lost her balance. She fell, scraping her knee, and Marrick went ahead and took a drink of water.

Suddenly, Flirt leaned in close to Kaelyn and gently nuzzled her knee with her nose. Kaelyn was surprised. Flirt had never done that before. She was trying to tell her something. Kaelyn looked over to where Marrick was standing, smirking with satisfaction, holding a cup of water.

Kaelyn turned to Flirt and said, "What is it, girl?" Flirt nickered and flicked her tail. Suddenly, it dawned on Kaelyn: horses enjoy clover more than little fingers, but they also like to teach cheaters a lesson. She burst out laughing and Marrick looked at her, confused. Kaelyn told him that he had won fair and square, but promised him a rematch later.

Marrick was relieved and went back to doing his chores, but Kaelyn stayed a little longer with Flirt. She knew that the horse had somehow known what was going on and that she had taught Marrick a lesson, without Kaelyn even having to lift a finger. From that day on, Kaelyn and her big brother, Marrick, never cheated each other again, and whenever they visited Flirt, they always made sure to bring an extra cup of water for themselves, just in case.