Blessing of Being a Fire Horse

Trotting along with a flick of mom's wrist, Blaze's glowing body and wild flowing mane moved across the tiny stage ...the laminated paper flames lapping along beside her.

Using her Micro Tip Fiskars, snipping between each pointy tongue, mom was able to practically bring the fire to life with each movement of the marionette's strings; her hooves clop, clop, clop along with a determined rhythm.

Fire Horse women or Hinoe uma in Japanese, are known as being dangerous, but mom helps change that by using Blaze teach how they can also be wonderful by performing good deeds.

Before dawn, trotting down the campground road, Blaze flicks her flames at the kindling piled up in anticipating her timely arrival.

Stopping at each site, Blaze lights all the fires.

Children gather closer, but she says, "Neigh, I am only to be gazed upon; you can never pet me. I will warm you, but refuse to burn you," lovingly reminding them to extinguish their fires or keep them attended."

As she moved on, they helped to fan her flames by waving bye, and they all agreed to be careful; as a few headed off to the neighboring orchard to find apples for Blaze.

The children were happy. The next time they see her they will have a surprise for their favorite Fire Horse, but then all of a sudden, their joy turned to panic as they noticed their baby sister was no where in sight.

Calling the ranger for help they head back to camp.

As Blaze was flaming further down the road near the edge of the orchard she heard sirens ...galloping full speed ahead she got close enough and shouted "What's the trouble?"

"The trouble? Oh, we've got a lost child in the orchard!" The ranger announced.

Immediately Blaze burst into action, she knew she couldn't run near the trees as she might ignite them, but she could certainly gallop where she was near the edge to illuminate between the trunks, for the rangers to ride their steeds.

Back and forth she charged determined to help ...her finely cut paper flames so animated they seemed alive ...finally off in the distance, she heard cheers as the toddler was located.

Blaze got close enough to hear that she was safe and sound, happily unaware that she had even been lost, Blaze noticed it was her handler's youngest. Mom was in shock. How had she wandered to the orchard?

Mom had her hands full, so she asked the ranger to return her to dad at the camp. The child was excited to get to ride a real horse.

Before leaving, the ranger invited Blaze to teach fire safety with him and the fire crew at the fire station in town the next day.

Mom agreed.

Arising with the sun Blaze was eating her favorite oatmeal when she sniffed something special ...just she heard the bell of the gate ring.

She had visitors! Wondering who it might be so early in the morning mom helped her maneuver as she trotted to the fence.

There she found her three children with their father. Extending their tiny hands through the gate with daisies for their mom and apples for Blaze.

The wonderful smell she had smelled during breakfast ...her favorite snack apples. Such thoughtful children ...Blaze was just delighted!!!

The children giggled, as they told their Fire Horse how grateful they were that their sister had been found with her help to light the way as they tossed the treats to her. Mom reminded them that while babysitting they have to watch the baby, not just the campfire.

Blaze was munching on apples, and mom let everyone know they were attending the fire safety class. They jumped with excitement, and dad said, "Sounds great; I'll drive the big bus so our neighbors can come along."

Blaze spent the rest of the day with mom thinking up her favorite tip to share: She decided to demonstrate how to put out a grease fire in the kitchen.

Blaze was able to scoop up the large container of baking soda from the pantry, being careful not to spill it until the appropriate time. Luckily it was a five pound bucket with a handle that she could grip in her horse teeth. Mom is such a good puppeteer!

The Fire Horse appeared as real as could be as she trotted along beside the bus through town encouraging more attendees.

Everyone was getting settled in as a cracking came over the microphone announcing the start of the show.

The demonstration began.

Blaze stood waiting as Stop Drop and Roll, if your clothes are on fire, was taught.

As a pretend fire horse, being extra-different, with imagination necessary to come to life; (as she was actually wooden with metal nails, and her fire was finely cut paper after all) she was okay waiting.

She knew her cotton strings would just be a tangled mess if she practiced with the children, but she delighted in watching them roll around in the grass barefoot, as most had removed their shoes.

It was finally Blaze's turn, she had a fireman set a greasy fire in their outdoor test kitchen for the grande finale.

Just then Blaze galloped in for the rescue. She dumped her bucket of baking soda onto the fire dousing the flames instantly as she reared back to stay lit.

Everyone cheered!

The chief explained, how baking soda is best for grease fires.

Dad watched mom making Blaze trot around with her head high knowing everyone had learned a good lesson.

The children danced and clapped and spun in circles before piling onto the bus.

On the way home, they exclaimed how fun it was to go to the fire house, and how grateful they are for their very own fire horse. Dad looked at mom and shook his head in agreement as she held her arm out the window as Blaze galloped along beside the bus her finely cut paper flames flying in the wind!