The luck of Mistletoe

Once upon a time there lived two children named Janet and John. These children lived on a farm and what a wonderful life they led!

There were many animals on the farm and both children loved them all, but their favourite was a horse which was given to them named Mistletoe. This horse was pure white and had a silvery mane. Every day the children would ride on her and sometimes offer rides to other people as well. Each day the children were given a job to do in the farm, like feeding the hens or milking the cows or something like that.

One night, the children had made a bonfire and it was Bill, the farm hand’s job to put it out.

But unfortunately, he had not put it out properly, so when the children were asleep a few flames licked the shed and it caught fire. Now the horses were kept in the shed and they were very alarmed when they saw the flames near their feet. They snorted and stamped and made a lot of noise.

It woke up Janet and John’s father and he was most startled when he saw the shed on fire. He rushed out and yelled to wake up Bill. Together, the two men put out the fire. Thankfully none of the horses were hurt. But they didn't notice that Mistletoe was gone.

The next morning the two children were most indignant when they found out there was a fire and they weren't woken up.

“Where’s Mistletoe?” demanded John, “Is she out?”

“Where is Mistletoe?” asked their father, “I’ll ask Bill.” He said.

So he questioned Bill, hoping that he knew.

But Bill didn't  Janet was in tears when she found out that Mistletoe was gone.

“Where is she?” she sobbed to her father, “Is she stolen?”

“No I'm sure of that!” he said.

But at noon, John discovered some hoof prints leading out from the gate.

“Janet!” he called excitedly, “Janet! Come and see! I’m sure that these are Mistletoe’s hoof marks.”

Janet ran out of the house looking surprised.

“Yes, they are!” she shrieked, “Let’s follow them now! Without telling mum and dad.”
“Yes, let’s.”,  said John, who also didn't particularly want to tell his father either.

So the two children followed the marks and discovered that they led right over the hill as well.

“I don’t know if we should” began John, but Janet interrupted him.

“I don’t care, John! I’d rather risk my life than leave Mistletoe wherever she is.” She said earnestly.

So John agreed and they set off.

They soon found Mistletoe looking rather lonely.

“MISTLETOE!!!!” shrieked Janet.

Mistletoe was indeed very pleased to see them. But John wasn’t listening.

“What is the matter, John?” said Janet impatiently, “We’ve got Mistletoe, now let’s leave.”

“Wait. Listen” said John.

Janet listened. She had much sharper ears than John.

“I can hear two men saying something… Wait! Yes they’re saying ‘tonight at nine ‘o’ clock at this place. We have to steal that old lady’s candlestick also.’”

Janet and John stared at each other in excitement.

“They’re robbers! Let’s tell the police!” said John excitedly.

Janet agreed.

The two children and the horse rushed down the hill and into the farm. They found their father and launched into the tale.

“Well, well.” He said, “We must tell the police.”

So they told the police and they were very surprised with this unexpected piece of information.

So they hid near that place at half past eight and waited for things to happen.

At exactly nine, two shadows appeared in the area and it was the two men. They immediately started discussing about who to steal from next.

Then the policemen jumped out.

“Hands up! You’re caught.” said one. The other fastened the handcuffs on them.

The two grumbling men were taken away and the two children were left with their father.

“Well done.” He said.

A week after that, the two children were sent medals of bravery. Weren't they happy? Of course they were. And Mistletoe was sent some apples. She was pleased.

But they did deserve it, didn't they?