Gum Leaves

Ember and Storm were let out to a new pasture today. Storm whinnied in excitement as they were set free. Somewhere new to run around and explore. This was going to be great. So much grass to trample then roll in, so many different smells to sniff.

His mother neighed in amusement, and let him run off. She settled herself into grazing, content to let him burn energy while she watched on.

The grullo colt charged across the grass, frolicking and kicking up his hooves. He stopped short as something caught his eye. What was that? Ears perked, he tilted his head and cautiously approached the new object. It looked like a little tree with sticks and leaves. Except that it was only as tall as he was.

Stretching out his neck, he sniffed at the leaves. They smelt like the general smell in the air only a lot stronger. Was this where it was coming from? This plant? Satisfied that it wasn’t about to jump out at him, Storm circled the small tree. Leaves hung down all around it so that he couldn’t see the thin stem very well. The colour was a bit odd too. More of a grey-blue kind of green than the emerald green of the fresh grass or the browny-yellow tone of the hills.

Pausing, he sniffed it again. He wondered… Reaching out, the curious young colt nibbled on a leaf. He squealed, spitting it out and dancing away. It tasted terrible!

Nearby, Ember let out an amused nicker. That was a young eucalyptus tree. They were not for eating unless you were a koala.

Storm snorted, eyeing the plant like it had personally offended him. How could any animal possibly want to eat something that tasted so horrible?

Ember continued grazing. Some animals just ate different things. Humans ate all kinds of odd things, only half of which were plants.

Circling his mother and coming to rub against her side, the young colt sighed contentedly. He was glad he didn’t have to eat the weird tasting plants. He had his mother’s warm milk available to him all the time, whenever he wanted. That was the life.

Ember watched her son in amusement. He would learn soon enough, there was no point making him grow up any faster than necessary.Gu