MARTINA'S BRAID

Martina was no ordinary pony; she was a vision of fluff and warmth. Her thick coat, and her wide, chocolate-brown eyes seemed to hold the wisdom of a thousand fields. Martina lived on the little family farm tucked at the edge of a sunlit meadow, where the laughter of a girl named Sarah often rang out like the sweetest melody.

Sarah and Martina had been inseparable since the day they met. At first, Martina had been shy, her fluffy ears flicking nervously as she adjusted to the cheerful little girl with boundless energy. But Sarah had a way about her—a gentle touch, a soothing voice. Soon, Martina followed her everywhere, her soft muzzle nuzzling Sarah’s hand for a treat or an extra pat.

One sunny afternoon, Sarah decided that Martina needed to feel extra special. She gathered her brightest ribbons and sat with her little stool beside the pony. “Hold still, Martina,” Sarah giggled as she separated a section of Martina’s mane. Her tiny fingers worked with surprising skill, weaving a loose braid that trailed down one side of Martina’s neck. She tied it with a dainty pink ribbon, stepping back to admire her work.

“There,” Sarah announced proudly. “Now everyone will know you’re the prettiest pony in the world.”

Martina swished her tail, as if to say she agreed wholeheartedly. She felt the braid swing gently against her neck with each step she took, a symbol of Sarah’s love and care.

From that day on, Martina wore her braid proudly. Sarah redid it every few days, sometimes adding tiny flowers she’d picked from the meadow. The braid became a tradition, a sign of their unbreakable bond.

Martina wasn’t just a pony; she was Sarah’s confidante, her guardian, and her best friend wrapped in a blanket of fluffy warmth. Together, they were a team—one braid, one bond, and a love that would last forever.

© All rights to the sculpture of Martina reserved by Fabrizio Sburlati & Sherry Carr.