A little, fat, chestnut pony stood in a stable. That’s me by the way. The stable was big and airy yet I was rude and cheeky. In those days, horses could talk. So I was always demanding this or answering back to that. Anyway, I was given some oats by a weedy boy in a black and red top hat and black and red, too-tight suit. His name was Albert Rasn. He had long dark hair underneath his black and red top hat and funny green eyes.
My name is Chama, but everyone called me, “Lazy, Lazy pony!” Because I was so lazy! But that was yesterday. I thought. I can make today such a speedy day! Such a good day! So that day I waited patiently for Albert to tack me up. Then Albert got into the cab. I trotted off to wait for some passengers. As I waited I sang to myself. “I’m not a beginner, but I’ll be a winner and I’ll be the star of them all!”
An hour later a posh lady in high heels came up and said “Taxi, Taxi! Roberts hall please.” So off I trotted. Down country lanes and ponds of blue I trotted. Then the whip came down and Albert yelled. “Faster! Lazy, Lazy pony!”
So off I cantered once again, flashing down country lanes and by farms. Other horses neighed. “Go, Go, Go! Go Lazy, Lazy pony!”
So I flew to Robert’s hall. Apparently the lady was an opera singer. They had just got her there in time! I was proud of myself. I wanted to do more good things! But Albert was tired of me. So he sold me!
As I went into the ring I heard a big voice say, “Welcome! Now, for our first entry, this fine young creature! Who wants him?” A tall man in a dark black suit put up his hand. “10 Pounds.”
Another man put his hand up. This one had dark purple robes over his head.
“11.”
“12 pounds. And make that an end to it. I will bid up to 100 pounds if I must.”
“Go on then. 13!”
“15!” The tall man growled.
“Ah, ah, ah. 20!”
“21!” He bellowed.
“22!”
“23, you coward!”
“25!”
“30. 30 pounds.” He growled like a dog.
“60 pounds.”
“80!”
“90.”
“100! And let that be the end of it. I have no more money and I am sure you don’t either.”
“101.”
The loud voice went on again, “Going, going, going, gone! Sold to Mr D Harper. Or as we all know him, Dave!”
My life at sea
I was led away by the man in purple robes to a boat. On its side it said, ‘The Golden Neigher.’ in big golden writing. I was worried. Warm neighing echoed around the dock. The man in purple robes sighed. Albert ran up. “Please sir! That’s my horse that is!”
“You sold it.”
“My dad tried to buy Chama back.”
“But he was out bidded. He lost!”
“It’s my horse.”
“Just like your father. Get work on the ship if you need to. Leave me alone!”
“Sir! I will pay you back every penny!”
“You can’t boy! I’m leaving! I’ll put you in charge of the stables, no more than that.”
Albert laughed. I think that was what he had been aiming for. He took my halter like a little boy and pushed me up the gangplank. Mr Harper, or should I call him Dave, looked at his ship. It was black with golden funnels and golden writing. Some black windows had bars over them and surprised ponies looked out at him.
I was led by Albert up staircases and staircases until I reached a small stable. It was very comfy. “Thanks.” I neighed to him. “Thank you for staying with me.” From then he was shovelling in fresh hay or oats or water. I just lay down. An old horse opposite me chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” I asked it.
“The so called Lazy, Lazy pony is here! That’s what is funny!”
I looked out of my stable door. The passage was empty apart from bales of hay. Suddenly the whole place jerked and I lay down. We were moving.
Albert was looking a bit green. He went out of my stable. I started eating. Tourists came and looked at me. That was my life; on a boat. I should have been sad leaving my home but I wasn’t. This was the start of my new life!
At first it was Ok. Fine food and water. I then started to get worried. We hit rocks more often. I was sure the bottom of the boat must be weakened by now, and I was right. Maybe we hit the rocks once too many times.
It all started one night when I was freezing cold. No warm fires but there again, no flies. I was still cold. Then I heard a grinding noise. Then a crack. Then a surge of water. We were sinking.
The old pony reared up and yelled,
“Kick open the stables! We’re sinking!”
I kicked open the badly made door and charged up stairs and stairs with the old horse. We soon joined many other horses which were going to jump, because we were in tropical waters.
I jumped and Splash! The water was warm. I swam and swam and swam. I heard neighs so I swam faster. I don’t know when but I, ever so gently, fell asleep.