The story told me by my mother

The soft and tender beam of the summer sunshine touches me gently and wakes me, as would a careful mother.

I open my eyes, and, stretching, think, "O God! What a wonderful day!"

But my next thought is about my new pet, Philip, the hedgehog.

I got him just yesterday, when he came to our garden.

It happens that many hedgehogs came to our garden during the summer and autumn, but only that hedgehog was not afraid of me and even took the cookie that I offered him. Of course, he curved himself into a ball when I took him into my hands, but I knew how to handle these needled animals, and I carried him to my cabana and placed in a box.

Soon the hedgehog calmed down, and started to explore his new home...

...I spring up from the bed to run into the garden, but at the same time my older sister, Barbara, comes into my room. We love each other very much, but I always think she abuses my love and patience.

Hugging me, she whispers some tender names; she kisses me and helps me to get dressed. (Like I'm a baby!) She makes me brush my teeth, and get breakfast, and only after all this she allows me to go outside.

Brimming with expectation, I run into the cabana and look into the box.

O goodness! The left board has been slightly moved to reveal a chink, and, of course, the hedgehog is gone...

Deeply upset, I go back to my sister. She tries to make me feel better, promising to buy me a rabbit. It does work; I cheer up.

"How about a pony?" I ask with hope.

"Maybe later," she answers uncertainly.

I have been dreaming about a pony of my own to ride as if it were a wild mustang. I've read a lot of westerns. But my parents have no horses...

(When you are a child, your dreams are like an ocean; you are swimming and surfing, you dive deep and reality and fantasy exchange places in your mind.)

"Here is your milk!"

The voice of my sister brings me back. Grrrrr! All the time!

My parents have no horse, but they keep a cow, named Saddled because of the big black spot on her back. She is a nice and kind animal; I am allowed to ride her.

I remember it clearly.

Now my sister and I are sitting on the porch of the barn, waiting for our cow.

It is a lovely evening, twilight, and the sun had just hid behind the magic line where earth meets sky. The darkened overhead space bestows enchanting warmth upon us.

And here comes our beauty!

Saddled nears us and dips her head, showing her sharp horns. My sister gives her a treat, and seats me on the rugged but warm cow's back.

I'm riding! I'm a Chief of Indians, or Amazon, or even Headless Horseman (depending on my present mood).

But we have already reached the stall, and my sister returns me to Earth.

...The day is over, the glass of milk is finished - my supper.

"Brush your teeth! Wash your feet. Did you walk barefoot again?"

Of course I did! How it possible to walk with shoes into warm puddles or velvety piles of dust or sand?

But finally all unpleasant cleaning procedures are complete, I'm in my cozy lukewarm bed, and my sister has finished cherishing me. Now I can dream without being disturbing until I fall asleep. And I'm flying, mounted on a wild mustang, or caressing my very own sweet pony...