A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

September 1, 2019

The Horse With No Neigh

Hazel sat forlornly gazing at the barn door. The inside was clearly visible, well-lit with hundreds of twinkling yellow lights. She could see her friends laughing, dancing, and enjoying themselves. It made her wince with jealousy. Hazel's Aunt had spent hours encouraging her to overcome her painful shyness. They had practiced karaoke for weeks until Hazel knew every word by heart. It was through song that Hazel had finally found her neigh.

To ensure that Hazel would not lose her newfound self-confidence, her Aunt had made Hazel a beautiful rainbow sweater and an encouraging sign to hang in her stall. "I'm a rainbow sprinkle in a vanilla world," it said. Hazel must have read those words a million times, but now she sat miserable and alone, her eyes red-rimmed from her tears.

During all their hours of practice, neither Hazel nor her Aunt could imagine that on the night of this special annual winter event, the karaoke machine would not be working. When she realized it, Hazel turned sharply and trotted out the door to the farthest pasture where she could still see what was happening.

As the night grew colder, Hazel found herself in a bit of a trance staring at the yellow twinkling lights. Then softly she began to hear her Aunt's voice in her head. One by one, her Aunt sang every song they had practiced. After she had sung them all, her Aunt whispered, "Go back, Hazel. I'll be your karaoke machine! Show them you are not the horse with no neigh!"

Hazel felt a sudden warmth flowing through her veins. She drew in a deep breath and pushed herself to her feet as the cold air steamed from her nostrils. Hazel straightened her beautiful sweater, threw back her mane, and galloped towards the lights in the barn.


Darnell J. Knauss, Author
Cornelia Wenokor, Illustrator
©09/01/2019
Vol. 1 Ep. 11

49 comments:

Aquarius said...

You are so clever - what a lovely story to go with the super image

Sandra H said...

Great story Darnell and l just love the rainbow sweater on your adorable image super cute it is too! enjoy your day xx

Loraine Long said...

What a sweet story and card. I really don't know why you don't do a short story book of your own as they are fantastic!

Ne-Ja said...

Darnell this is a fantastic stroy and drawing :).

Mia said...

Amazing card, Darnell! And what a clever story and sentiment! Kisses, my friend. I am back from vacation.

Pat said...

I love what Cornelia has done with this fun image, and your story is beautiful and so imaginative and certainly complements the artwork perfectly. You certainly have a wonderful way with words. x

Chris said...

Hooray for Hazel and her kind encouraging Auntie! Wonderful story and card!
xx

HJ said...

Great story and illustration! Enjoy your day!

Brenda in IN said...

A wonderful, uplifting story for Hazel and I hope they loved her songs. I don't see how she couldn't be a hit with her adorable rainbow sweater.

Jean said...

So very creative!!

Birgit said...

What an inspiring story of overcoming our fears. Love this Darnell! I would totally buy the book.

Bunny said...

Well done, ladiesl. Sometimes we all need to be more of a rainbow. Speaking of karaoke, you had me start singing the song by America called "Horse With No Name". Now I'll always think of Hazel [Bunny]

cuilliesocks said...

Fabulous story Darnell and such a wonderful card, Kate x

Susan said...

What a beautiful story, Darnell - so perfect to go with the card. The image is totally Hazel in the furthest paddock, looking sadly back at the party. I might be biased, since I'm a horse lover, but I think this is your best story yet! The card itself is fabulous - great depiction of winter, wonderful sentiment, and lovely rainbow of colour on the horse's coat.

Gerrina said...

Great illustration and text again; was a bit of a relax-point on this bussy sunday for me... Niw on with my tea :) Enjoy your sunday!

I Card Everyone said...

She's been to the desert, and come back with the perfect wardrobe, D! Your story, and Cornelia's card, is one of hope for us all!
=] M

conil said...

Hazel is a winner...so's this little story...actually brought tears to me eyes. Such encouragement for the shyness in us.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Beautiful story line to go with the wonderful stamped design. Hazel is an amazing horse and your story about her finding her neigh is so uplifting!

Sue said...

Love it:)

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

OH! poor Hazel, I'm glad she has a wonderful aunt to gee her up! and feel good about herself. At least she has a colourful sweater to help her see the rainbows too. Love the sentiment.
Faith x

designbydonna said...

Lovely story. Add a few more illustrations and make this into a wonderful inspiring children's book

Fikreta said...

super fun and cute!

Lisa said...

Yay for Hazel gathering her courage to gallop back to the barn!! Fabulous story and gorgeous card!! I love your creativity, Darnell!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Kathleen said...

Well I was nearly in tears reading this, brilliant post, great story line and a super card.

Kath x

Celeste Goff said...

Such a fun and uplifting story to go with a beautifully illustrated card!

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Fantastic Darnell, you just have to love Hazel in that rainbow jumper.

Sue xx

Leslie Miller said...

The world needs more happy endings. We've all got a little bit of Hazel in us, don't we. A beautiful story to go with Cornelia's awesome card.

Cheryl W. said...

There are definitely lots of Hazels in this world. If only each of them had a special person telling them they're rainbow sprinkles in a vanilla world. Lovely story and wonderful illustration. Thank you!

Christine Alexander said...

wonderful story to go with the great card :)

papierelle said...

... there was almost my entire handkerchief stock on it!
Gundi

Stamps and Paper said...

Brilliant story to go with your lovely image Darnell....sorry not been around much, family must come first at the moment
Hope you are ok?

Hugs Anne x

oldpunca said...

The story is written and illustrated so professional, that I can feel Hazel's sorrow about broken karaoke machine. And also the joy that her aunt makes her.
Well done, Cornelia and Darnell! <3
Hugs, Sonja

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

*Sigh*... You go, Hazel! Superb, ladies!

Marcia Hill said...

Isn't hope a wonderful thing?! What a lovely and inspiring story and I am so going to read this to my 5 year old granddaughter next time she comes to visit! LOVE the card and sediment too! Well done!! :0)

Craftyfield said...

Such a good pairing of artists!

Redanne said...

Oh, I do love a happy ending Darnell, this is such a heart warming story and Cornelia's drawing is adorable - I love the rainbow sweater! Thank you for sharing these wonderful stories with us. Hugs, Annie xxx

Lisa Elton said...

Wonderful story, wonderful card!

kiwimeskreations said...

AWWWW - what a sweet story - we need more rainbows in this vanilla world, and I have just glimpsed one in this collaboration.
Blessings
Maxine

Em Louise Fairley said...

So sweet! xxoo

Sarah said...

You had me at the title!! Go Hazel!! Such a great little tale Darnell xx

JD/ Jill said...

REally cute, nicely colored card! With a cute story to go with it!

TK said...

Awwww I WANT him and his pretty coat! Adorable story, great card!

EvaniaFlo said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
nwilliams6 said...

A visit to your blog is such a treat! LOVE the story, love the card, love the sentiment. So special. Hugz

Donna said...

Darling card and story!!!

Anita in France said...

I love that Hazel was able to dig deep, step outside her comfort zone, go back in to party with her friends and sing her heart out, Darnell! What an inspiration she is in her fabulous sweater ... and what a sweetie that Auntie is! Sorry I'm so behind ... LYAMYBLMA ... WEMTW! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Sharron said...

Aw, what a sweet and inspiring story! Love that Hazel had such a dear aunt and that she was able to use that love to enable herself to get her neigh back and join her friends!!

Neet said...

Another great story from the pen of Darnell. Love the rainbow sweater. I have just had to make a rainbow card for a Mingle in one of my groups - this would have been so appropriate.
Hugs, Neet xx

BożenA said...

This is a very encouraging story. Ended with a great moral, though unsaid ... Thank you for the story and beautiful graphics
xx