Keiko’s Pony Rescue
Barnyard Slumber Party
That evening, Keiko, her friends, and Aunt Yumi settle into the empty stall across from Marigold’s with sleeping bags, blankets, snacks, and a lantern. Dr. Brooks is sitting nearby reading a book. Keiko asks him if there’s anything else they can do for Marigold. Aunt Yumi shakes her head; Marigold needs her space.
Keiko knows she’s right, but she just feels so helpless. Jasmine agrees, and then pulls a charcoal-gray pencil and Keiko’s sketchbook out of her backpack. Jasmine saw it on Keiko’s bed and thought she’d bring it. Maybe Keiko can draw Grace a picture. Keiko hesitates, and then reaches for her sketchbook. Seeing it reminds her about losing the contest, and it makes her stomach twist. Her friends would be so upset if she loses. So, Keiko makes up an excuse about the light being too dim to see.
Jasmine asks if everything is okay. She’s noticed that Keiko hasn’t been drawing very much. Keiko softly responds that she just doesn’t feel like drawing very much that night. Maybe tomorrow. She doesn’t want her friends to feel bad, after all, she did ask her friends to help her make time to draw. But that was back when she thought she would win the contest.
Aunt Yumi holds up the camera she brought, saying that Grace will have plenty of pictures. So, they should probably all get some sleep.
The girls huddle into their sleeping bags. Keiko keeps her eyes on Marigold. Then, she decides that she’ll stay awake until the baby comes. The other girls sit up and say they’ll do the same. Aunt Yumi chuckles. It may be some time until the foal comes. The baby may not even come until tomorrow. But the girls are determined to stay up.
However, one by one, they slowly drift to sleep, and so did Aunt Yumi. Everyone, except Keiko. In a change of heart, she reaches for her sketchbook and pencil. Keiko draws a picture of Marigold with her glossy coat and long, flowing mane. She feels a little bit better as she draws. Maybe tomorrow after the goal is born, she’ll get up more courage to tell her friends about the contest.
The next morning, Aunt Yumi wakes the girls up to morning light streaming through the barn door. Marigold is fine, and the foal has finally been born! It’s a girl.
Keiko shakes the others awake, and they scramble out of their sleeping bag to Marigold’s stall. Marigold is on her feet with her head down, and by her side, lying on the ground, is a newborn foal. Madison points out how adorable the foal is. She has a fluffy coat like her mom. Marigold grooms her newborn filly with her tongue, cleaning every inch of the foal from head to hoofs.
Slowly, Dr. Brooks eases his way into the stall to give the foal a checkup. He carefully examines the newborn. He explains that at this point, the foal should be standing up. He’s going to gently help her get on her feet so she can have her first meal. Keiko watches in awe as he wraps the foal in a gentle hug and lifts her up. They watch her get her skinny legs under her and stand, albeit wobbly.
Dr. Brooks helps the newborn make her way to Marigold to begin nursing. As she eats, he turns to Aunt Yumi and asks what he should call the foal. Aunt Yumi turns to the girls. Keiko looks at the filly, who is attached to Marigold like a flower petal to a stem. What about Daisy? Madison, Sofia, and Jasmine all agree that’s a great name for the little pony.