John was a proud young man as she showed the fine purchase he'd made at the stock auction in Cooper that very day. His Father gave a good going over of the two American Shetland ponies, then turning with a satisfied smile to John.
"Excellent, John you made a fine purchase! The mare is sound and never foaled yet, while the stallion has good conformation. Both look like fine breeding stock, they should do well!" announced John's Father.
"Thats Dad, I wish it hadn't been necessary! The death of Mr. & Mrs.Morrison, then too Jenny's disappearing, and Jared too, I really feel upset by their loss!" said John hanging his head at the loss of two good friends.
"You saw Jared's parents yesterday at church didn't you?" asked Mr.Killingsworth.
"Yup, and Misses asked me to stop by today as she wants me to have some of his things." replied John as he led both new mare and stallion to the East pasture gate.
John really felt the loss of his two best friends as he worked his morning chores. A call to Jared's parents as he made an appointment to see them at 2:30 that afternoon.
The meeting was one of tears for both young and old as several of Jared's special things were given in sad regret to John. The entire lot was placed in a saddle bag for the ride home as John had by choice and chance saddled his new stallion for the ride over. As good bye's were said, John mounted his young stallion.
John felt down during the morning but he was way low down in the dumps now. Feeling more like he'd rather be alone his ride took him to Mason's pond. A place known well by Jenny, Jared, and John as their special place to swim, sun and talk.
Dismounting the beautiful stallion John removed the saddle and tied the reins to a small Maple sapling. As the stallion lowered his head to graze about the scene John laid the saddle bag down next to him on the ground.
One thing led to another as John looked over the items which reminded him of his friend. Teared eyes looked over the items till he came to see a small horseshoe and a strange metal medallion. Memories of many things but these two meant nothing to him.
John laid the common pony shoe down he began to look at the Medallion and it's strange engraved writings. It was then that the passive and normally uncaring stallion noted the Medallion in John's hands.
A screaming whinny roared out of the previously calm stallion. John looked up and over to see the pony straining to come to be by him. A few words to calm the agitated pony went to no avail. John was about to get up when the Maple sapling could hold the strong stallion no more. As the little tree snapped off the pony took several quick steps to come and stand next to where John lay on the ground.
Stunned, John just lay there looking up at the stallion. Then the beast folded it's forelegs and dropped down to lay right next to John.
A pony muzzle gave a soft touch to John's cheek as the youth tried to think what the animal had for a plan.
John petted the strong neck of his new pony and looked up at him, tears in his eyes. "Thank you pony for being like my old friend Jared!
He used to lay next to me here when we'd daydream about our live's ahead. Sniff!" went John as the pony reached over to nibble the Medallion in John's hand.
"No, no pony this is something special, Oh how I wonder what happened to Jared and Jenny? If they are still alive I'd wish to be with them, if even for just a day!" said John with half a moan.
The stallion let out a loud whinny as it climbed quickly to it's feet. John looked up and saw his vision blur as he felt a extreme tightening of his clothes and belt. Dropping the Medallion he began to stand up but fell backward to lay on his back looking up at the very upset stallion.