Whispered Prayers

by Alex Grayson

Daniel just stands there for several seconds, taking in the few horse heads that are poking out of the stalls. “Can I pet one?” I chuckle at the pure wonderment in his tone. Walking over to the basket of apples, I grab out a couple and carry them back over to Daniel. “How about feeding them a treat?” I hold one out to him. “Can I really?” He grabs it, looks down at it a moment, then turns his excited eyes up at me. “Ever fed a horse an apple before?” “No, sir.” “Come on. I’ll show you how to do it.” I lead him over to June’s stall. She’s a black with gray spots appaloosa. I’ve had her for eight weeks now and she’s about ready to go home to her family. She neighs softly and tosses her head a couple times as we walk up to her stall. Daniel stops and stares up at her, his mouth hanging open in awe. “This is June,” I tell him. June brings her head closer to Daniel, and for a minute I think he’s going to take a step back, but he doesn’t. Brave kid. Horses are big even to adults; to a child they’re enormous. I pet June along her neck and she lifts her head to me, nudging my shoulder. “Hey, girl.” I turn to Daniel. “Hold the apple out in your palm. Don’t grip it. Just let it rest in your hand.” He does as I tell him and holds the apple out. Even for a kid I barely know, his expression is priceless as he watches the horse gently take the apple from his hand. A big smile appears on his face when the horse starts crunching on the fruit. “Good girl,” I murmur to the horse, and run my...