The Bell That Ran Ahead — At the edge of Cloverback Meadow, a young horse named Pippa tapped one hoof, then two, beside the tall grass. Around her neck hung a tiny ribbon bell, no bigger than an acorn cup. Read the full story →
At the edge of Cloverback Meadow, a young horse named Pippa tapped one hoof, then two, beside the tall grass. Around her neck hung a tiny ribbon bell, no bigger than an acorn cup. It had belonged to her first halter, and its soft ting made her ears perk up. The morning smelled like wet clover and warm dirt. “Just to the next hill,” Pippa whispered, and sprang forward.
Tup-tup, swish! Her mane flew, the grass brushed her knees, and the bell rang faster than her hooves. Then the sound changed. Ting-a-ling became a bright little song, and from behind the hill, three meadowlarks answered note for note. Pippa laughed through her nose and ran with them, not away from anything, but into the wide, windy blue. When you find her on the meadow, can you hear the tiny bell going ting, just to the next hill?
