JASON’S QUEST

    But the pony wasn’t there.

    Jason slumped to the ground, a sick feeling in his stomach. His father’s words came back to haunt him. "No," Dad had said, "you may not pony-sit while Bucky goes on vacation. That’s too much responsibility for an eleven-year-old."

    "But I know all about taking care of the pony," Jason had argued.

    "There’s more to responsibility than feeding the pony," Dad said.

    "This is a chance for me to learn that," pleaded Jason.

    Dad stroked his chin. "That’s a horse of a different color," he had agreed, smiling at his horsy joke.

    Now Jason stared into the empty corral and knew he would have to find that pony if it took the rest of his life. He reached for a braided lead rope hanging on a post and began his quest.

    As he trudged along an unfamiliar street looking into each yard, he recalled how other kids had ridiculed his dream of becoming a cowboy and teased him for hanging around with Bucky -- Horseface, they called him. He had grown sick of the horsy jokes everybody kept saying at him. He knew Bucky took advantage of him -- making him do all the unpleasant chores before allowing him to ride. But, Mom and Dad wouldn’t let him have his own pony. "Not just yet," they always said.

    Suddenly a big German Shepherd came roaring off a porch at him. Jason froze where he stood and quivered like a terrified rabbit until a fat lady came out and called the snarling dog back onto the porch.

    A new thought rose behind Jason’s eyes. What if someone had taken the pony -- someone big and tough? How would he get Saddle Pal away from him?   He determined to face that problem somehow, if it appeared; and continued his quest.

    It was late afternoon and houses were far apart when the flash storm blew across. It dumped chill rain drops that looked as big as grapes. He knew the warm wind would dry him eventually, and the pony might be near. He sloshed on.

    As he pushed through some bushes, he found himself surrounded by dozens of bees. The bees flew at him angrily. "Yeow!" he yelled and raced down the street, leaving the buzzing horde behind. An urge to keep right on running for home filled him. No! he told his hammering heart. That pony could be just up the road.

    At last, as daylight began to wane, he spotted the pinto in a field behind a tumbled-down house. There were two other horses, three goats, and a scrawny cow grazing in the small field. Relieved and elated, Jason climbed through the fence and walked to the pony. Suddenly three dark teenagers came running from the house, shouting in a foreign language.

    Jason grasped the pony’s halter, and nervously faced the menacing teens. "This is my pony," he said.

    "Oomee gamma gamma," replied one of the teenagers.

    "I mean," said Jason, "he belongs to my friend Bucky, who’s gone away on vacation."

    "Oomee gamma gamma," the teenagers all said together.

    "I guess I forgot to latch the gate," Jason continued anxiously. "He got out of my yard, and I’m responsible for him."

    "Oomee gamma gamma," chanted the teens.

    Jason gathered his courage. "Listen," he said wearily, "I’ve been rained on, stung at, attacked by a dog; and I’m so hungry, I could eat this horse. Now, get out of my way. I’m leading him out of here."

    The teenagers glared at him for a moment, then the largest one shrugged and said with a slight smile, "All right, but don’t step in the oomee gamma gamma."