The trees rustled in the wind, and the long green grass waved gently because of it.
A horse was seen, with a girl on it's back. She pulled the reins gently, and the horse stopped cantering. The girl, Esmeralda, got off the horse, which was the most beautiful white colour, and inhaled the fresh air. All was peaceful, and Esmeralda loved it. She touched the horse's mane gently, then whispered to him, "Go free."
The horse seemed to understand her, for he took one more look at her, then galloped away.
Esmeralda smiled a sad one and watched the horse gallop away. When he was a tiny speck, Esmeralda touched a willow tree. She loved being near nature. She went to see the willows and flowers and all the other plants. Suddenly, a little voice seemed like it was coming out from the tree. Esmeralda was so quiet, wanting to hear the sweet little voice again, but nothing was heard.
Esmeralda shrugged. Then she knew she must get home, so she started to walk along the meadow where her house was. It was a nice little house. A small one, but it was cosy.
"Esmeralda!" Esmeralda heard her mother call her.
Esmeralda entered the small house, to see her younger sister kneeling by the fire, and her mother cooking something. Her baby brother was playing with his toys and father was sitting at the table. He smiled when he saw Esmeralda.
"I let Albina free," said Esmeralda. "I just knew that he needed to go. He had been born wild, anyway."
"I'm glad you did," said her father. "Yes, Albina belongs in the wild."
"But all the same, I will miss him," said Esmeralda.
"Yes," agreed her father. "Sit down, supper is ready."
Esmeralda did. After she had finished eating, she asked if she may be excused.
Her father nodded, then smiled. "You want to see nature again, don't you?"
Esmeralda nodded. "I do."
"Well, go along, then."
Esmeralda opened the front door, then ran outside. The birds were chirping merrily, the sky was a bright blue, and Esmeralda lay on the warm grass and closed her eyes.
All was peaceful.
"Uh.... hello?" a voice suddenly said.
Esmeralda jumped up, to see a boy standing there. "Who are you?" she asked sharply.
"Uh, you see miss, I'm just passing by, I don't have no parents," he said bitterly. "But I can survive without some."
"But that must be awful, not having parents!" cried Esmeralda. Then she added in a sharper tone, "My name is Esmeralda - don't call me miss, please."
"Uh, sorry miss - I mean Esmeralda!" the boy quickly said.
"Well, why don't you come inside? Mother can get you something to eat," said Esmeralda.
"That's very kind of you," said the boy. Then he held out a grubby hand. "My name's Ferdinand. Nice to meet you."
Esmeralda shook it. "And, as you already know, I'm Esmeralda. Follow me." She led Ferdinand inside then said to her parents, "This is Ferdinand, mother, father. He's an orphan and he's awfully hungry, he said."
Ferdinand blushed. "Well, that don't mean ya have to get me anything, miss," he said quickly to Esmeralda's mother.
"No, I will," said Esmeralda's mother. "How long have you been walking?"
"For quite long," Ferdinand admitted. "But don't worry about me, miss." He looked around the house. "Cosy, it is."
"Yes, I think so too," said Esmeralda's father.
While Esmeralda's father and Ferdinand were talking, Esmeralda peered out of the window. It was getting dark. She couldn't go back outside. She sighed, then said to her mother, "May I go to bed? I know Ferdinand is here and everything, but I'm awfully tired."
"Yes, you go to bed," said her mother, smiling. "I'll just get a bed set up for Ferdinand."
Ferdinand heard this and he said, "I don't want to cause you trouble, miss."
"You're not at all," said mother. "Just keep on eating that stew."
Esmeralda went into her room, got changed, and climbed into bed, yawning. The bed was soft and warm, and listening to the talking of Ferdinand and her father, she drifted into a deep sleep.