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The Big Black Horse

This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a Big Black Horse. It can be a horse, a metaphor or an interpretation of KT Tunstall’s “Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree.” Go where the prompt leads!

This is my response. It is based on a picture book manuscript I am working on at the moment, hoping to submit to a publisher soon. Fingers crossed. That story is based upon another 214-word story I wrote earlier in the year, which you can read here. All three are the same but different. I hope you like it.

The Big Black Horse

The riders considered the available horses. Fergal chose the big black, Valentina the silver. They mounted their steeds and entered the arena. Fergal cantered to one end and Valentina the other. They steadied their mounts and faced each other.

“Let the contest begin! Charge!”

The contestants galloped towards each other.

Nearing the centre of the arena, Fergal’s black steed balked, tossing him off. Valentina wheeled her horse around, dismounted and raced to Fergal’s side.

“You okay, Fergal?”

“It’s only a scratch.”

“I’ll get a plaster from Miss.”

“It’s okay. Let’s go again. Can I have silver this time?”

“Okay.”

Thank you blog post

Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.

Comments

45 responses to “The Big Black Horse”

  1. Rebecca Glaessner Author Avatar

    I remember this little piece. I loved these characters and their interaction here just as much the first time!

    How wonderful that you have a book in the works too!! So close now. Exciting times!

    Like

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks for your support, Rebecca. There’s not really a book in the works. Just a manuscript in waiting. 🤣

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Rebecca Glaessner Author Avatar

        Even better, the words are done! Just needs a team to help publish it. I’ll be reading a real live copy with the kiddos before too long 😁

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          I love your optimism, Rebecca. Fingers crossed.

          Liked by 2 people

  2. dgkaye Avatar

    Loved the ending Norah. Hi Ho Silver! 🙂
    P.S. I’m glad you popped over to my blog because I thought you weren’t blogging as I haven’t been receiving post notifications, so I’ve re signed up to get them as I believe Worstpress is playing games on many fronts. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Debby. I appreciate your kind words, and that you have continued to follow my blog. 💖

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Jennie Avatar

    Looking forward to hearing more about your picture book MS!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Jennie. Fingers crossed.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie Avatar

        Yes!! You should check into Query Tracker. That’s what I’ve been using.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          I’m not sure if Query Tracker works only for US submissions. I’ll have to check it out. I did use it to track a submission to a US agent earlier in the year but eventually forgot to check back when nothing at all happened.
          I wish you success with your submissions. 💖

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Jennie Avatar

            It is universal. I like that there is a consistent list of agents for all categories.

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Norah Avatar

              I’ll have another look at it. I did just check one book I submitted through Query Tracker and saw that a response had been added in May. I should have checked earlier but I’d forgotten all about it. Just as well it wasn’t an offer. 😅

              Liked by 1 person

              1. Jennie Avatar

                I haven’t been there in a month, so who knows what comments might await me. Ha! I do like the site for finding an agent that’s specific to children’s books. Best to you, Norah.

                Liked by 2 people

                1. Norah Avatar

                  I hope you find one, Jennie. I’d love to read a book written by you. 🙂

                  Liked by 2 people

                  1. Jennie Avatar

                    I feel the same way about your book. 🥰

                    Liked by 2 people

                    1. Norah Avatar

                      Thank you, Jennie. 🙂

                      Liked by 2 people

                    2. Jennie Avatar

                      You’re welcome, Norah!

                      Liked by 2 people

  4. Jules Avatar

    Fun! And good luck with your book!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Jules.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Book Club Mom Avatar

    I’m glad this ended gently!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Me too! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Annika Perry Avatar

    Norah, you entered the world of play of children brilliantly here, their absolute reality where anything is possible. Good luck with the submission. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you so much for your support, Annika.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. A Big Black Horse « Carrot Ranch Literary Community Avatar

    […] The Big Black Horse by Norah Colvin […]

    Like

  8. Charli Mills Avatar

    I love it, Norah! You capture the essence of children at play so well.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Charli. Your comment bring me joy.

      Like

  9. Jim Borden Avatar

    I like the sense of fair play!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Jim. That was the message. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Patricia Tilton Avatar

    I remember loving my hobby horse as a child. Such fun pretend — just like your story. My guess is a plaster is a bandaid? Glad you’re going to turn this into a book.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Let’s pretend is such fun, isn’t it?
      Bandaid is a brand so I used plaster as a generic term. Funny, I thought it was a term from the US. Perhaps I was wrong.
      I hope I get to turn it into a book. 🙂

      Like

  11. D. Avery @shiftnshake Avatar

    I remember that longer story! I love the child-ness and the caring in these stories. I sure hope you hear good news regarding the manuscript.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, D. I’ll let you know if I do!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Bette A. Stevens Avatar
    Bette A. Stevens

    Sweet…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Bette.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. robbiesinspiration Avatar

    This is great fun, Norah. These are the games my friends and I played as kids.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Robbie. Imaginative games are so much fun.

      Like

  14. Jacqui Murray Avatar

    Horses are amazing creatures. Jan Sykes wrote a story about one that still stays with me. Lovely story, Norah.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Jacqui.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. calmkate Avatar

    lol I’ve had a few nags like that in the Melbourne Cup, and I thought it was a jousting match … well done!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Kate. It was supposed to be a pretend jousting match on hobby horses. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      1. calmkate Avatar

        yes I got that clearly thanks Norah 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Norah Avatar

          Great! Thank you. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  16. Anne Goodwin is bringing Matilda Windsor home Avatar

    Ha, Silver is safer. Sweet story, good luck with your submission.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Anne. I’ve dotted my ‘i’s and crossed my ‘t’s, and now I’ve got my fingers crossed. 🤞

      Liked by 2 people

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