That White Pony

My job was to get the pony for the party. So I rode my bike about a mile over to my neighbors to pick the pony up. The pony had a 20 ft piece of rope loosely knotted around its neck, which I turned into a halter with a quick loop around its nose. Now I could ride the pony like this or lead the pony as I rode my bike. I choose that later not wanting to leave my bike. I made two loops of rope around the handle bars, not wanting to tie it, so the pony could be released. I could imagine a terrified pony galloping into the sunset dragging my bike behind it.

The pony trotted along beside me as we started on the return trip everything seemed fine. Turning on to the 3/4 mile straight away that lead home I played out about ten feet of rope and the pony broke into an easy gallop. The world seemed grand cruising along at one pony power with the wind in my hair. As I played out a little more rope the pony cranked its head around to look and the rope sipped off its nose leaving me with no control. From the whites of his eyes I could tell that we were no longer fellow travelers but pursuee and pursuer. What a difference a little change of perspective makes!

I still had a 1/2 mile to go and a fast ride suited me just fine but as I approached our neighborhood I realized the horse was not slowing down. I began hitting the brakes and sliding the bike sideways enough to pull the ponies head around but it wouldn't slow down. I was starting to wonder how far this pony could run. I thought of spending my afternoon searching for the birthday pony and returning to my neighbor to report that the pony had gotten away from me. I kept up the breaking and sliding with out much effect until I reached my road. I broke hard and held the brakes and slid side ways until I laid the bike over. The pony didn't stop and started to pull me over the bike. I had one last chance and hauled back on the rope with all I had. The force pulled the pony around enough to allow the rope to slide up to the top of his neck and I gained control.

With my bike in one hand and leading the pony with the other, I came through the gate. Heidi looked up and asked, "did you walk all the way?"
"no" I reply, " we had ourselves alittle ride."