Thistle Whistle, the daughter of Caramel and Sassaflash, hasn't had a very good day so far. Luckily, she's about to make a new friend who will turn her day around.
The day had started so well. Thistle Whistle’s father had made her favorite breakfast, packed her a good lunch and kissed her as she left. Her mother had flown her on her way to work, telling her how much she loved her and hugging her before she took off. How could her first day have gone so badly?
The young pegasus sat under a tree as far from the others as she could. She watched the other foals as they enjoyed their recess. She could still hear their giggles when she’d introduced herself.
“Why do you talk funny?” some had asked. She didn’t think she talked funny.
As the day progressed, it had continued. The giggles had been ever-present. Every time she was called on, every time she spoke, they giggled. She didn't like it. She wished they would stop.
“Hello!”
Thistle Whistle jumped. She'd been so lost in thought she hadn’t noticed one of her classmates coming over to her. This fact was made even more surprising given how this particular classmate looked.
Her greeter walked on four legs like she did, but his front ones were too long. He stood a bit taller than her and had no mane. His tail, wagging behind him, was long and narrow. He was covered in short, brown hair.
“You’re a dog,” she said, surprised.
The canine’s yellow eyes lit up, his tail wagging even harder. “Yes!” He exclaimed, his scratchy voice squeaking, making the word sound like a yip. “And you are it!”
He reached out and poked her shoulder with his paw and took off running. Thistle Whistle’s first reaction was to flinch. She watched him as he stopped at the bottom of the hill, waiting for her.
“Come on!” he shouted excitedly. “You have to chase me!”
He jumped back and forth, then tripped over his own paws in his excitement. He didn't seem to care, and just rolled in the grass until he managed to get up.
The pup’s excitement was contagious, and Thistle Whistle found herself smiling.
He had righted himself, and got down low, his front paws stretched out in front of him. His tail stuck up in the air, bobbing back and forth like it was trying to get away from him.
“Chase me!” He repeated. “Chasemechasemechaseme!”
Thistle Whistle couldn’t help herself. He looked so silly, she burst out laughing.
He saw her laughing and cocked his head, looking curiously at her.
“That’s not how you play tag.”
She laughed even harder, then started after him. Her new playmate grinned, running ahead on his long legs. The pegasus leapt when she was halfway down the hill, opening her wings and gliding. She gained a lot of ground and managed to catch him.
The dog ground to a halt, leaving skid marks in the grass.
“OK, I am it,” he said. “You’re good at tag. What’s your name?”
“I’m Thistle Whistle,” she replied softly.
Oops. It happened again. The little whistle when she talked that had made so many classmates laugh at her. Now he would laugh at her too.
“I’m Bo!” he replied, crouching down to ready himself. “I’m very fast.”
She was so surprised that he didn’t laugh that she almost forgot to run. The pegasus galloped away as the puppy gave chase, happy to have found a new friend.