The Girl and the Little Horse

Lily comes to the stable for her first day of helping out, bringing a small bag of carrots and full of excitement. Tall Marta, with silver curls and hands that smell of hay and leather, greets her and leads her past rows of stalls to the last one, where Pepper, a small dappled grey pony, stands quietly. Pepper is old and needs extra care, and when Lily offers him a carrot, he takes it gently. Marta tells her that old horses know kind hearts.

Step by step, with Marta and Ben the stable hand, Lily learns how to look after an aging pony: using a curry comb in small circles on his neck, brushing his back and sides, untangling his white mane with her fingers, and cleaning his red halter and polishing the little brass tag with his name. She fills his water bucket and leads him to a sunny spot in the paddock, returning each day to a routine Pepper waits for. Written by Aysel Banu YAVUZAL for young animal lovers, this warm story can be read on Masal İzle.