Another crisp Autumn day, turnout time in the sun.  Great weather for horses, plus no horse-flies in some time, another blessing.  “Makes me hungry!” said Lucky.  “November is a great month to be hungry,” said Calvin.  “It will soon be time for Thanksgiving feasts again.” “Can’t wait for apple pie!” exclaimed Poco.  “And carrot cake, don’t forget carrot cake!” added Rover.
 
“I always wondered who eats all that food on Thanksgiving,” said Apollo. I once heard something about a bunch of Pilgrims and Native Americans getting together for a feast but can’t remember the details.”  Ice told Apollo he would tell him all about the holiday and why it was celebrated.  “When the first settlers came to America, it was a wild place,” he started. They didn’t know how to get food for themselves and had to build their own homes.  Luckily, they met up with some friendly tribes people, who they happened to call Indians.  The Indians felt sorry for the Pilgrims, so they gave them some seeds to grow some food. They also taught them how to fish and hunt for the animals that lived there.  When harvest time came, they all got together and had a great feast.  They had turkey and cranberry and bread and lots of other good things to eat.  They all gave thanks not only for the food but for each others’ friendship.  They had endured harsh living conditions, but most of the Pilgrims had made it through the first year.  They had decided to celebrate a day of Thanksgiving every year to give thanks for all their blessings and eventually it became a national holiday.”
 
Today people have added more fun to the holiday. Some have parades with floats and marching bands, some put on plays depicting the first Thanksgiving Day, and people wear Pilgrim and Indian costumes.  Of course there are many,many football games!  And just like the first feast day, people eat tons and tons of food.  Apollo thought that was very nice and asked if the Horsefeathers Gang was planning any fun for the day.  “Well, last year we played a big football game right here,” said Harley.  Just then, a small figure was spotted coming up the driveway.  It just happened to be Mr. Tom Turkey, whom the horses had all met last year.  “Fancy meeting you here!” said Poco.  “We were all just talking about Turkey Day, which is getting closer and closer.  Good to see you’re still here.”  Tom informed the horses that his owners were so proud of him for being such a good water-boy last year at the big game, he did not ever have to be a Thanksgiving Turkey.  They said they just couldn’t imagine eating such an important member of the team.  They also said they’d like to invite everyone over to their Neighborhood Progressive Thanksgiving Dinner.  The horses did not know what that was so Tom explained.  “When  you go to one of those, you start at one house with appetizers, then move to the next house for another course, and on and on till you end up with dessert at the last house.  By then you are quite stuffed!  All the horses were invited, and since Tigger the cat had joined the group by this time(when he heard  food was involved), he got to come as well.

The day had arrived and the annual football game came first, along with Tom Turkey and his water-cart was on duty.  Nick’s dog, Chief, was there to pull the cart again.  Of course, the team with Apollo, the big draft horse with the big hooves was the winner.  No one really cared, they just liked to play for fun.  After some nice grooming they all headed off to Tom’s house.  The volunteers had made special masks for them to wear. Some were Pilgrims and some were Indians.  They showed up and sang a few Thanksgiving songs for Tom’s family.  Everyone enjoyed the little show but they were far too hungry to sing for long.
          
First came the apple fritters and micemeat pie, a favorite of Tigger’s.  That cat had come with his appetite; he gobbled down quite a few helpings.  Next house was the main course - turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, and naturally, cranberry jelly.  You didn’t know cats liked turkey?  Tigger almost dove into his plate!  Last place was for dessert.  There was pumpkin pie and ice cream and little cakes with frosting. Tigger  was found to have quite the sweet-tooth, too.  “Just one more, please,”  begged Tig.  “I’m so stuffed but they’re soooo delicious.”  
 
The horses love the food, too, but knew to get out and get some exercise after such a big meal.  They went out to the yard and trotted around a little bit.  Tig, on the other hand, plopped himself on the couch and did what most men do after a huge Thanksgiving Dinner - he watched some more football.  Tom kept him company till Tig did the next thing most men do when you add football to a big heavy dinner - he fell asleep and started snoring.
 
As they got ready to leave Tom’s house, the horses and Tig all thanked Tom and his folks for a wonderful time and they all shared what they were most thankful for in their lives….their good jobs, good homes, all the nice volunteers and riders they had, apples, carrots, peppermints, all that good stuff.  “I am glad I learned about Thanksgiving Day,” said Apollo.  “It’s the best holiday there is!”

• Next >