#18 - Holiday Hijinks

On this snowy evening, the entire village was filled with a festive atmosphere. The houses were adorned with twinkling garlands, and the laughter of the villagers echoed through the streets. Cookie, a majestic Loshenka also known as "Sweet Cookie Delight," wandered peacefully through the thick snow in search of distraction, his hooves leaving deep prints behind him. Intrigued by the sounds of laughter and the joyful atmosphere he could hear, he gently approached the house of his owner’s family. As he passed by a fogged-up window, he caught sight of the humans inside, seemingly in the midst of a celebration. This piqued his curiosity, and the horse decided to explore this mysterious place.

Determined to explore this unknown place, Cookie circled the house in search of an entrance. Upon reaching the main door, he paused for a moment, hesitating, then nudged it with his nose. To his surprise, it opened without resistance, being unlocked. Taking this as an invitation, he cautiously entered the house, his hooves softly echoing on the floor. As he moved forward, he discovered this fascinating and unfamiliar world, his gaze shifting from one piece of furniture to another, fascinated by this new environment.

For Cookie, the house was a true labyrinth. Every corridor seemed to lead to a new discovery: soft carpets under his hooves, paintings on the walls, and sparkling lights reflecting off his shiny coat. Guided by the sounds of distant voices and laughter, Cookie set out to find his owner. Each step brought him closer to the joyful sounds, heightening his excitement. However, just as he was about to pass through one last door, an irresistible scent teased his nostrils. He turned his head and saw, resting on a table, magnificent caramel apples. These golden treats seemed to call to him, and Cookie, unable to resist the temptation, diverted his attention from his original goal.

Approaching cautiously, he sniffed the apples before delicately grabbing one, then another, savoring the sweet taste of each bite—so different from the food he was accustomed to. He had never tasted anything so delicious. In no time, he devoured several, diving into an impromptu feast. Meanwhile, the family, still immersed in the festivities, had no idea that an unexpected guest had joined their home.

As dinnertime approached, the family members decided to sit down at the table. Entering the dining room, Cookie's owner stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes widening in surprise at the scene before her: her horse, majestic but entirely out of place, with his muzzle buried in a plate, surrounded by four other empty plates.

Cookie, absorbed in his feast, didn’t immediately notice their presence. It wasn’t until he heard a familiar voice that he looked up, his eyes full of innocence and surprise. Caught in the act, he quickly backed away, his clumsy movements causing a series of mishaps. In his hasty retreat, he got tangled in the lights surrounding the large Christmas tree standing in the middle of the room. A desperate struggle began between Cookie and the twinkling garlands and colorful decorations. The lights flickered frantically while the tree swayed dangerously. Christmas baubles shattered on the floor, and despite his frantic efforts, Cookie found himself completely trapped, immobilized by this formidable foe.

Witnessing this, his owner went from shock to concern. Fearing her companion might get hurt, she hesitated for a moment before realizing the horse had calmed down, admitting defeat to his formidable adversary. Relieved, she burst into laughter, soon joined by the rest of the family, who watched in amusement at this improbable spectacle.

After regaining their composure, they set to work freeing Cookie from his entanglement. For nearly two long hours, they worked to remove the garlands and decorations caught around his body and tail. Cookie, docile, allowed them to do so, enjoying the attention he was receiving.

Once freed, the family decided to keep Cookie with them for the rest of the festivities. However, after his caramel apple feast, they opted for a more suitable meal: fresh apples and a few carrots, to the great delight of the Loshenka, who savored his meal amid the laughter of those around him.

As the evening came to a close, his owner led him back to his stable, pondering how he had managed to escape and end up inside the house. But she knew she would never have answers to these questions. An amused smile lit up her face as she thought back to this extraordinary adventure. This evening would remain etched in her memory and would make for an incredible story to tell.

Of course, to ensure no one doubted the story, she had taken care to immortalize the moment with a photo: Cookie, wrapped in garlands, looking sheepish. This picture would proudly hang on the door of his stable, next to his ribbons, as a hilarious reminder of this unforgettable Christmas evening.