Wilma watched the little girl and her pony fondly. They were a nice addition to the barn; Amanda, the pony, Dixie Belle, and the rest of the family, mom Sally, dad Daniel, and Jonah, Amanda’s older brother.

Wilma had heard from Dixie Belle that the family had gotten her for both children. However, she had been at the barn for less than a week, and Wilma could tell Dixie Belle had a definite preference for Amanda. When Jonah would play with her, Dixie was kind but not really interested. With Amanda, Dixie was fascinated, and made every effort to be obedient, and understand what Amanda was asking of her. Horses tend to pick the people they want to be with. That’s the way it had worked for Wilma and Annie, and it was definitely working that way with Dixie and Amanda. Wilma had also seen the opposite happen, where the horse knew what person it wanted, but the person either wasn’t paying attention, or there was some other situation where it just didn’t work out. During those times, there was always a little sadness at the barn because the two beings who were meant for one another ended up going their separate ways.  

As time went on, Wilma noticed that Jonah spent less and less time with Dixie belle; he could sense this was not the pony for him. One day, he didn’t even go pet her, and after that he would just go into the barn and play among the hay bales, or take a walk through the pasture, down to the creek.

One day Jonah was standing on the creek bank, tossing twigs into the water and watching them drift away. Wilma meandered over to him, and nudged him gently in the back.

Jonah jumped and spun around. “Oh! Hi, Wilma, you surprised me!” He rubbed her shoulder. “How’re you doing, girl?”

Wilma leaned into the rub and put a blissful expression on her face. “You like this, huh?” Jonah asked, rubbing a little harder. Wilma moved herself around a little bit, so different parts of her shoulder were under Jonah’s small hands. Then she whuffled into his hair, to show him she appreciated the attention.

Jonah gave her one last rub and a small pat. “Glad to be of service,” he chuckled, “and thanks for rearranging my hair!”

Then Jonah looked over to where his sister, Amanda, was grooming Dixie Belle. He sighed.

“I don’t think Dixie likes me very much,” he confided to Wilma. “Look at how happy she is with Amanda. She’s never like that with me.”

Wilma stood a little closer, to show she understood, and lowered her nose to Jonah’s level. He rubbed her nose absentmindedly. “Well, you like me.”

Wilma nodded.

“But you’re Annie’s horse.”

Wilma nodded again.

“It sure would be nice to have a horse of my very own.” Jonah signed again, and Wilma signed with him. She also smiled, because she knew there was a horse in the pasture who only had eyes for Jonah.

Jonah was so busy trying to figure out what he could do to get Dixie to like him that he was blind to the other horses. What he didn’t see was a young Friesian filly who had been watching from the moment she saw him. Her real name was Concertina, but everyone called her Jewel because that’s what she was - her attitude and willingness were exceptional, plus she was flawlessly beautiful - an absolute jewel.

Jewel was three, and like most 3-year old fillies, she liked to run and play. But she also had a calm, gentle nature, and more than anything wanted to belong to someone. When she saw Jonah, she knew right away that he was the one for her. He was a nice little boy, and even when he teased and bickered with his sister, Jewel could see it was because he was her big brother, and that’s what big brothers were supposed to do. Jewel had no doubt that he would protect those he loved. She felt safe just looking at him.

As soon as Jewel saw Jonah, she wanted to go up and say hello, but she didn’t know if Jonah’s family would appreciate her butting in while they were getting to know Dixie. So she stayed away, and watched Jonah, and waited.

Being boss mare of the herd, Wilma noticed right away that Jewel had an interest in Jonah. Wilma saw that jewel displayed a maturity beyond her years in keeping out of the family’s way. But as Dixie and Amanda got closer, she also knew it was time to have a talk with Jewel.

One day as Amanda was riding Dixie and Jonah was once again down by the creek, Wilma joined Emerald in the pasture. She cropped a little grass, and as she chewed she watched Jewel watching Jonah.

Jewel was unaccustomed to a lot of attention from Wilma, as she was a good filly and seldom needed lesson in manners or herd protocol. To have Wilma peacefully grazing beside her made her a little nervous, but more than that, she was curious. What could Wilma want?

Finally, she could stand it no longer. “Um, Wilma? Is there something wrong?” Jewel looked away quickly so Wilma would know she mean no offense by her question.

Wilma took another small bite of grass, chewed and swallowed, then looked Jewel straight in the eye.

“Well, yes, Jewel, there is something wrong.”

Jewel’s eyes widened in alarm and she braced herself for a lecture. She had seen Wilma ‘teaching’ some of the other horses in the pasture! But Wilma didn’t seem angry. That was the confusing part!

In her kindest tone, Wilma continued. “You are standing over here, and that lonely little boy is standing over there. I think perhaps it’s time you introduced yourself.”

“Wha...er...introduce...?” Jewel could hardly believe her ears. Wilma wasn’t upset! she was suggesting that Jewel do exactly what she had longed to so since she first set eyes on Jonah! Jewel cleared her throat, pulled herself together, and whispered, “Really?”

Wilma chuckled softly. “Yes, dear one. It’s a perfect time. Go on over there and say hello. Remember he’s young and respect his space. Always keep track of where your head is and where your feet are. You’ll do fine.”

Wilma gave Jewel a playful push in Jonah’s direction, and watched as the filly took step by careful step toward her destiny. Wilma though it looked as though Jewel could barely feel her feet, and Wilma smiled inside. It had been exactly like that when she met Annie.