THE BLUE HORSE

Jason Everest, a twelve-year-old boy, discovered the wild blue Arabian stallion racing through the corn field near his cottage where he lived with his mother. When Jason's eyes met the horses's gaze, he felt as if he'd known the horse for a thousand years, deep in his soul. The farmer, Mr. McGregor, warned him that the horse was mean, and he intended to have him killed. No barn, fence or paddock could corral the stallion for long. The blue Arabian was a menace to the town of Fairmont, Iowa, and the farms in the area. When Jason heard this, he was determined to save the wild blue Arabian stallion. He knew in his heart he could tame him. The day the hunters arrived, Jason was able to save the blue stallion and rode him bare back high up into the hills surrounding the town. The next day, however, a tornado hit the town and destroyed Mr. McGregor's barn, tore off his roof, and flattened the cottage Jason and his mother rented. Jason's mother was badly injured in the storm and recovery was doubtful. Jason and the blue stallion were saved by the angel Gabriel from the tornado. The angel praised Jason for his courage in saving the stallion and gave him a greater mission with directions to "Follow the Wind". The angel told Jason the chant would lead him in the direction of his mission. That's all the angel said for now. Jason was placed in a foster home until his mother recovered, if ever. Jason hated the foster home and decided to run away to find the blue stallion. He felt certain that the blue stallion could heal his mother. The night he left the foster home, another foster child, Louisiana Annette Del Mario, a ten-year-old, followed him. Louisa said she was determined to accompany him on his mission to find the blue stallion, although she didn't believe a horse could heal his mother. The two children set out on a journey through dense woods, across flooding streams, and tall drying corn fields and meadows. They were not alone. An angel posing as an old lady wearing a blue hydrangea dress and carrying a white lace patterned umbrella was protecting them. The children headed up into the hills where Jason was sure he'd find the blue stallion. At the same time the blue stallion was running free through the thick forests, but was caught up in the current of the flooding stream and had trouble getting out. After finally freeing himself of the debris, he sought refuge up in the hills surrounding Fairmont, Iowa. After his trip across the hills when he avoided several hunters who tried to kill him, he discovered a pack of wild dogs racing through the valley. He remembered his mother was killed by a pack of wild dogs when he wasn't quite a year old. He raced down the valley to avenge his mother's death. He was not alone. A huge sixteen point buck had beat him to the spot where the dogs were marauding, Together they fought off the attacking dogs, but not without injuries. They sought refuge in a nearby stream for soothing comfort for their injured legs from the dog attacks. In the stillness after the attack, the blue stallion heard the children crying. The stallion reunited with the children, and they were able to ride the Blue up into the hills again. After finding the spring and drinking their full, they headed out to the chant, "Follow the Wind." They didn't know where they were going but trusted that Blue would know which direction to take. They knew they had to find a farm where they could all live together. They found refuge in a cave and stayed there for over a week. They were able to catch fish out of a spring in the cave and collected apples and grapes from a nearby abandoned orchard. They were safe there until another pack of dogs discovered the carcus of a wild boar that Blue had killed. The children were afraid they'd be the dogs next target. The chant came again, "Follow the Wind". They knew they had to leave. After a days long journey they reached Jenny Jane Commings' farm, where they had been directed by the chant.