"Happy Valley Horse Camp" | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: "Happy Valley Horse Camp" | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilyn Meiners
07/15/25
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There it is!

"Happy Valley Horse Camp".

This was the first summer twelve-year-old Macie was coming to the camp. Her mom had searched the internet trying to find a camp that would appeal to Macie, and since she loved horses, this proved to be ideal.

Macie was excited to get her week started. The car barely came to a stop before she hopped out, grabbed her gear and ran to the check-in desk.

"Look who's excited", smiled mom as she watched Macie run away.

Macie stopped long enough to wave good-bye to her parents, and blow them a kiss.

She was here!

At "Happy Valley".

A whole week learning about horses.

She could hardly wait.

Check-in complete, Macie deposited her gear in her room then took off exploring the camp. She headed to the barn. Noticing the doors open, she cautiously walked in. She could hear the gentle "neigh" of the horses.

"Well, who do we have here?" asked an imposing figure in a cowboy hat.

“Name’s Macie. I'm here for camp."

"Hi Macie, my name is Mr. T. I work with the horses. Come. I’ll show you around."

"Awesome. Can I see some horses now?"

"Sure. Do you know which horse was assigned to you?"

"I think the name was Daisy."

"Ahhh, Daisy. She’s a gentle filly. You'll love her. Come I'll introduce you to her."

Excitedly Macie followed Mr. T to the stall where Daisy stood eating some oats. Mr. T instructed Macie to grab an apple from the barrel, then he opened the door and the two walked inside.

"Daisy loves apples. Go ahead. Give it to her." Mr. T instructed

Hesitantly Macie held out her hand and Daisy took the apple.

"Let me show you how to brush her. Once you start she'll be your best friend forever. Grab that brush over there."

Macie brought the brush to Mr. T and he showed her how to start with the mane and brush downward, then move to her body and do the same.

"Here, you try it," offered Mr. T.

Macie began brushing Daisy. Her mane. Her body. One side then the other. "She loves this!" Macie smiled through brushstrokes.

"Yep! Come back tomorrow and we'll do more work with Daisy. Now run along. I believe it's almost time for dinner."

Macie ran to the "big house", opened the door and ran smack into a girl with purple hair who didn't look particularly happy to see Macie. In fact, she looked downright mean.

"Sorry," quivered Macie. "I didn't see you."

"Well, next time watch where you're goin'," the girl said gruffly, dark eyes threatening.

"Gotcha' " whispered Macie.

Cook announced dinner was being served and sixteen girls scampered to the dining hall to enjoy their evening meal. By the time Macie arrived there was one seat left.

You guessed it.

Right across from "purple hair."

"Oh brother," muttered Macie. She heard that small voice say, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

The camp counselor offered prayer than told the girls to "dig-in". As Macie waited for the food to be passed she said "Hi, my name's Macie, what's yours?"

Silence.

"I like your hair," offered Macie

"You makin' fun of me. Cause I don't take kindly to girls makin' fun of me," purple hair said sharply.

"No, I love the color purple. I think it looks really cool," Macie tried again.

Purple hair glared.......”Samantha.”

"What?" Asked Macie.

"I said my name is Samantha."

"Oh. I'm very glad to meet you," smiled Macie.

As the girls finished their dessert Macie looked over at Samantha and asked, "would you like to go sit on the porch swing with me and talk"

“Why?"

"To get to know each other better. We’re gonna’ be here a week. Maybe we could become friends.”

"You want to be my friend?"

"Sure, if you'll have me."

Samantha eyed Macie with half closed eyes. "No one has ever asked to be my friend."

"Well, I'm askin'," said Macie.

After a long pause, Samantha said "I guess that’d be okay."

"Amen", whispered Macie to herself. "Trying to love my neighbor."

"Great, now why don't we go out to the porch swing and really get to know each other. After all, that's what friends do."

"Okay," Samantha said as she got up from the table. The two walked out the door, hand in hand, and Macie could be heard saying "Could you teach me how to put purple in my hair too?"

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