The cows danced away like naughty children and tried to get behind the Johnsons. Maggie ran to head them off. She saw more cows. The Johnsons ran and yelled and waved their clubs until they were exhausted.
Finally the cows were all back in the barnyard. "Whew," said Mom, hanging on the fence while she panted. "Life is never dull around here."
"Nope," said Dad. "The cows ruined some of our corn crop too. We lost money out there."
"I'm glad the cows don't act like that all the time," said Maggie.
* * * * *
The more Maggie rode Molly, the better she liked the big horse, but now Dad was too busy to help her get on. Maggie wished she could just jump on the way Dad did.
One day Maggie went to the pasture to visit the horses, and they were lying on their sides snoring. "Hello!" Maggie said loudly.
The horses jerked to attention and started to get up. But when they saw it was only Maggie, they relaxed. Molly's back was now even with Maggie's waist. It was the perfect chance. Should she crawl on?
Maggie hesitated. What if Molly jumped up and ran? Even Dad had fallen off when that happened. With no bridle, Maggie wouldn't be able to steer the horse. It might be dangerous.
But this was such a perfect chance, that Maggie put her leg over Molly's back. She grabbed a bunch of mane and held her breath.