The Miracle of Christmas (The Pony and the Sleigh)

The Miracle of Christmas

(The Pony and the Sleigh)

Part One - The Promise:

Oggy had no idea what they had done to deserve it. But he and all the rest of the gang were so very excited.

Aidan and Hild, insisted that they treat them to a surprise gift for Christmas Day. There was talk of little else and with it, much speculation.

While they all waited with baited breath, a new arrival caught their attention.

She was a delightful pony called ‘Snowball’ with a lovely fluffy white mane and soft doe-like eyes. Oggy fell in love with her instantly. He was besotted and what’s more, he simply did not care. It didn’t matter how much the others teased him.

He delighted in sneaking out every morning, to give her a carrot and pat her on her head. He wanted to let Snowball know, just how much she was appreciated. Snowball loved him too. She would nuzzle Oggy softly, making funny little contented noises, that only really cute pony’s can make.

“You’re not the only one who likes her you know.” Fenn said, as Uddin and Hedge peered over the fence with him.

But, as Hedge lost his balance almost immediately, he toppled backwards onto the snow and fell with a plop!

The others just grinned, making no attempt to help him up.

“Aww come on guys, help me up, I can’t see a thing from down here!”

“It’s OK,” they chuckled, helping him up anyway. “It’s not like you can actually see anything any way, you are way too small.”

“Yeah!” Fenn eyeballed Oggy in a very telling manner “A certain somebody is already hogging her.”.

Pearly Pink and Lach appeared at the opposite end of the garden, with exactly the same purpose – to make a beeline towards Snowball.

Suddenly Snowball had to admit that she felt very spoilt. She did not know which way to turn (but it was clear that she was loving all the attention!).

“Are you ready for your surprise yet?” Hild asked from just beyond the garden gate. “We need to get going.”

Their eyes lit up, they had been looking forwards to this ‘surprise’ for what seemed like ages.

“Humphh!” Hedge replied grumpily, “It’s not like I will get a look in edgeways with this lot!” Pearly told him off, it WAS Christmas after all. Hedge had the good grace to smile apologetically.

“Aidan told us to wrap up well” Fenn cut in above the noise they were all making. “Come on Uddin!” he said to him urgently “I need my scarf!”

Hild stopped beside Hedge then, placing a comforting arm around his shoulder “What if we put you right in the middle of the s…….. oops!” she grinned laughing out loud “Aidan would throttle me if I gave the game away!”

“I’m sure he would do no such thing.” Oggy piped up smugly, still feeding Snowball and ruffling her ears.

“We won’t get any where if you don’t let me take the pony back to the stables right now!” Hild retorted, trying to look cross at Oggy but failing as always.

Saying Goodbye to Snowball with a final ruffle of her ears, he sighed and turned back for home.

Just as he did, he noticed Aidan leading Snowball away to the edge of the village. “I wonder what he is up to?” Oggy thought. resigning himself to a whole afternoon without Snowball, he sighed again and headed back inside for his hat and scarf.

By the time Oggy got there, some of the others had already gathered. They had some picnic baskets with them and hot flasks with lots of warm snuggle blankets. Oggy scratched his head, “Why didn’t I think of that?” he wondered.

As soon as they saw Oggy their voices rang out in joyful cheer - “Season’s Greetings!” they chorused or “Yuletide Cheer!” and Oggy answered them instantly, with a silly lopsided grin and salutations of his own. Whatever this ‘surprise’ was, the gang were more than ready.

Oggy hardly had time to reach the others, when they all paused asking what the sound was.. “I don’t know” some replied, not being able to distinguish the faint noise coming from just beyond the lane. It was…..

It wasn’t until the sound came over the hill again that they all began to realise what the surprise was. The noise that hit their ears was simply divine. It was the sound of ‘Sleigh Bells!’

Oggy’s eyes began to mist up suddenly, as it dawned on him just what that treat was.

There, right in front of him, was none other than Snowball, dressed up in her very best and behind her was the most magnificent sleigh!

Fenn grinning crookedly, smiled up at Oggy’s misty eyes – “Do I see a little misty eye there Oggy?” But when Oggy looked up, Fenn’s eyes weren’t exactly dry either. Nudging each other playfully and laughing, they both beamed their delight at what they now knew. They were all going on a Sleigh Ride!

Warm thanks greeted Aidan as he pulled up and jumped down ushering them all into the sleigh.

“We had no idea!” exclaimed Lach with a bright, smiley face. “The best present ever!” Uddin laughed, punching Fenn playfully on the arm. “Why it’s absolutely charming!” Pearly Pink said, clearly delighted. Many greetings were exchanged. “Merry Christmas” rang out among the gang and Hedge started singing “The Sleigh Ride Carol.”

They all joined in.

Soon, they were wrapped up well, snuggled tight between huge fluffy blankets.

Oggy trailed his gloved hand down the side of the sleigh. It had been beautifully hand painted with much care. Tiny pink roses adorned it with a pale blue edging on a gleaming white background.

Snowball’s harness, reins and blanket matched perfectly. Pearly and he exchanged knowing smiles, recognising the care and craft that had gone into creating this.