Sarah & the Christmas Letter

It was a crisp December morning, and little Sarah could barely contain her excitement. She clutched a carefully folded letter in her mittened hands, addressed to the one and only Santa Claus.

Her pony, Martina, stood patiently by the barn door, her warm breath puffing into the chilly air. Martina was a fuzzy pony with a fluffy mane that Sarah loved to braid. She was Sarah’s best friend, confidante, and today, her trusty delivery partner.

“Ready, girl?” Sarah asked, scratching Martina behind her ear. Martina nickered softly as if to say, Always.

Sarah climbed onto Martina’s back, gripping the lead rope in one hand and her letter in the other. “To the mailbox!” she declared, and Martina stepped into action, trotting down the snow-dusted path that led from the barn to the country road. But this morning, the little adventurer wasn’t alone. Her cat, Joy, had decided to join them. Joy perched on top of Martina as if she belonged there, her tail twitching with excitement.

The ride was magical. The fields sparkled with frost, and icicles dangled from the branches like glass ornaments. Sarah hummed a Christmas tune, imagining Santa reading her letter in the North Pole. She’d written about her wish for a new saddle for Martina and a shiny collar for Joy, not just for her own comfort but because they deserved the best. Sarah also made sure to ask for extra treats for them both, because she believed Santa should know what good friends they are.

As they reached the road, Martina slowed to a gentle stop in front of the big mailbox. Sarah leaned forward, she carefully opened the mailbox and placed her letter inside, making sure it was secure.

“Okay, Martina,” Sarah said, patting the pony’s neck. “Mission accomplished!”

Before she climbed back on, she spotted something in the distance—a small family of deer emerging from the woods. Sarah and Martina stood quietly, watching the deer until they disappeared into the trees. It felt like a little bit of Christmas magic just for them.

The three made their way back home, Sarah chattering about what Santa might think of her letter. Martina listened, her ears twitching as if she understood every word. Joy balanced effortlessly, her wide eyes taking in the winter wonderland.

That night, as Sarah drifted to sleep, she whispered to Martina, who dozed in her stall nearby, “Thanks for helping me, Martina. You’re the best Christmas helper ever.”

And as snow began to fall softly outside, Martina nickered in agreement, content to have been part of Sarah’s holiday adventure.

© All rights to the sculpture of Hounds & Fox reserved by Trisha Forsyth.