The Horse That Stopped at the Creek

Nolan rides horses at the ranch every summer. He knows the trails well and helps new riders when they visit.

Nolan menunggang kuda di peternakan setiap musim panas. Ia mengenal jalur-jalurnya dengan baik dan membantu penunggang baru saat mereka berkunjung.

Today, a new rider named Estelle joins the group. It is her first time on a horse. She holds the reins tightly and sits very straight.

Hari ini, seorang penunggang baru bernama Estelle bergabung dengan rombongan. Ini pertama kalinya ia menunggang kuda. Ia memegang tali kekang erat-erat dan duduk sangat tegak.

The group rides up the hill and through the pine trees. Estelle's horse is a gentle brown mare named Juniper. She follows the other horses without trouble.

Rombongan itu menunggang kuda mendaki bukit dan melewati pohon-pohon pinus. Kuda Estelle adalah seekor kuda betina cokelat yang jinak bernama Juniper. Ia mengikuti kuda-kuda lain tanpa kesulitan.

Then the trail reaches a small creek. Water moves quickly over flat gray stones. The other horses walk through it one by one.

Lalu jalur itu sampai di sebuah sungai kecil. Air mengalir cepat di atas batu-batu abu-abu yang rata. Kuda-kuda lain melewatinya satu per satu.

Juniper stops at the edge of the water. She lifts her head and does not move forward.

Juniper berhenti di tepi air. Ia mengangkat kepalanya dan tidak melangkah maju.

"Come on, girl," Estelle says softly, but Juniper stays still.

"Ayo, cantik," kata Estelle dengan lembut, tetapi Juniper tetap diam.

Nolan turns his horse around and rides back to her. "This happens sometimes," he says. "Horses don't like the sound of moving water at first."

Nolan memutar kudanya dan kembali ke arahnya. "Ini kadang terjadi," katanya. "Awalnya kuda tidak suka suara air yang mengalir."

"What do I do?" Estelle asks, a little worried.

"Apa yang harus saya lakukan?" tanya Estelle, sedikit cemas.

"Stay calm and loose in the saddle," Nolan says. "Let her look at the water for a minute. Don't pull on the reins."

"Tetap tenang dan rileks di atas pelana," kata Nolan. "Biarkan dia melihat air itu sebentar. Jangan menarik tali kekangnya."

Estelle takes a slow breath and relaxes her hands. Juniper lowers her head and sniffs at the water.

Estelle menarik napas pelan dan mengendurkan tangannya. Juniper menundukkan kepalanya dan mengendus air.

After a minute, Juniper takes one small step, then another. Soon she walks steadily through the creek behind the other horses.

Setelah semenit, Juniper melangkah satu langkah kecil, lalu satu langkah lagi. Tak lama kemudian ia berjalan mantap melewati sungai itu, mengikuti kuda-kuda lain.

"You did it!" Nolan says, smiling.

"Kamu berhasil!" kata Nolan sambil tersenyum.

Estelle laughs with relief and pats Juniper's neck. "We did it together," she says. They ride on toward the top of the hill.

Estelle tertawa lega dan menepuk leher Juniper. "Kami berhasil bersama-sama," katanya. Mereka melanjutkan perjalanan menuju puncak bukit.