Charlie Horse was very nervous. Each day in Mrs. Wren's class, a student would get up and tell about their family. He had heard about Darby Dog's many relatives and Darby even showed how Pricillia Poodle was a cousin.

 Minnie Cow had told of all the different cows all over the world and Mrs. Wren had pictures of her aunts and uncles. Today was Charlie's turn.

 "Charlie, I believe it is your turn today," said Mrs. Wren.

 Charlie came to the front of the class and cleared his throat. He had pictures and his notes were folded in his pocket. Unfolding them, he began.

 "I have many relatives in the horse family. I will classify them in different groups to make it easier for you. First there are light breeds. The height of a horse is measured in hands and the average light breed is 14 and a half to 15 hands high.

 "Most common colours are grey, bay and chestnut with occasional browns and blacks. The skin is always black no matter what the hair colour. Average weight is 600 to 950 pounds. The Arabian horses are beautiful and perfect tempered.

 "The Barb horses are similar to Arabian, but are less likely to be shipped to England and the United States. They are in Latin countries and in Europe.

 "The hackney horse is the British type of driving horse. Their average height is 14 and a half to 15 and a half hands and weight is 900 to 1,100 pounds. The hackney horse, though having a beautiful head and neck, high knee and back action, has little speed."

 Charlie passed pictures of the various horses out to the other students who looked closely at them.

 "My direct relative is the hunter horse. In Ireland, these horses are used mostly for steeplechasing and cross-country. They can weigh up to 1,200 pounds and my Great-Uncle Cedric won many races in Dublin.

 "The Morgan horse is a small horse and is used for all purposes. There are the palominos, which we see in many of the western movies we see on TV. There are quarter horses, saddle horses, trotter and pacers, Thoroughbreds and walking horses, Lipizzan horses, which have been used at the Spanish School of Riding in Vienna for over 200 years. All these are light breeds and now I will tell you the names of the heavy breeds.

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 "There are Belgian, Clydesdale, Percheron, Suffolk and Suffolk punch in the heavy class weighing up to 1,500 pounds."

 "Don't forget ponies!" said Mrs. Wren.

 As Charlie continued with his talk on horses, he grew more proud of what he was. He could see the other students also were interested in his relatives.

 Mrs. Wren smiled. By talking about their relatives, students were finding themselves and acquiring a new pride in family and history. It was a good idea to have students begin this look even though tomorrow could prove to be very interesting. Sammy Skunk was next. Let's hope he didn't demonstrate his scent.

 Question about the story: What heavy breeds were there in Charlie's family?

 Winner: Michaela Whynott, Italy Cross, received her prize through the mail.

 Send answers to Storytime, c/o Verna Dunlop, RR#1 Moser River, NS BOJ 2KO, or e-mail the answer to vernadunlop@yahoo.com. Names will be drawn for prizes.

posted on 11/11/08