Summary:  Alone at the ranch, Hop Sing and a young Little Joe assist a mare in delivering her foal.  Written for the 2026 Hop Sing’s Chinese New Year Challenge.  rating: teen   word count: 2633

 

Bringing Harmony into the World 

 

“Hop Sing!  Hop Sing!”  Hop Sing turned at Little Joe’s call and stared at the boy panting before him. 

“What matter?” 

“It’s Dainty Lady.  She’s gonna have her foal.  She’s gonna have it right now.”  

“Old Ned in bunkhouse?”  

“No. He’s in town.  Everybody’s in town.”  

“All hands go into town?”  

Little Joe’s head nodded repeatedly.  “There’s something doing at the Bucket of Blood.  The hands all went, and Mr. Ned went to make sure none of them spent the next few days in jail since Pa nor Adam is here to loan them bail money.”   

Hop Sing nodded.  With Ben Cartwright and his two oldest sons on a cattle drive, there was only a small group of hands still working from the bunkhouse. “So, boy and Hop Sing only ones to hand?”  

“Yeah, and it’s early for the foal to come, and Dainty’s kinda small, and …” Little Joe turned on his heel.  “I’ll ride and get Mr. Ned.  He’ll come when I…”  The boy started forward, but Hop Sing caught his arm and held on.  

“No. Boy no ride anywhere.  No ride alone at night.  No!”  

“But I have to get…”  

“No have to get nobody.”  He turned the boy to face him and settled his hands on Little Joe’s shoulders.  “You with horses having foals many times.  You help your father, brothers, and Old Ned many times.  Not so?”  

“Yes, but…”  

“Then what need to know in here.”  Hop Sing tapped Joe’s head. He knew the boy was intelligent and about horses very knowledgeable.  “You and Hop Sing see to Dainty horse.  Having foal take time, likely Old Ned back before foal come.”  

“You think we can?”  

“Know we can do most what needs to be done.  Most horse have foals with no help.  Dainty have us. Will be good.”  

“Okay.”  Hop Sing saw the boy’s nerves settle.  “We gather what we need and go down to stables.”  

“Okay.”  

HHHHHHH 

 

Hop Sing followed in Little Joe’s wake all the way to the main stable.  Entering the darkened building, Hop Sing decided that he was glad that Dainty Lady would not be giving birth alone in the dark.  She was not a wild horse, and she would not have had her herd around her for support.  He lit several lanterns to brighten the space and then walked over to where Little Joe stood at the horse’s head telling her that they were there to help and reassuring her that things would be fine.  

“What best for us to do first?”  Hop Sing saw the eleven-year-old straighten in pride at the man’s deference to his opinion on the matter.  

“She’s still up, so we should clean out her stall and put down lots of fresh bedding.  If you walk her up and down a bit, I’ll do the mucking out.”  

Hop Sing nodded and walked the mare slowly up and down the center aisle while Little Joe cleaned out the stall and then filled it with a copious amount of straw. 

Hop Sing observed Dainty Lady as Little Joe led her back to her stall.  The mare was nervous and occasionally nipped at her own flanks.   “What next?”  

“We need plenty of fresh water for her to drink and some warm water for cleaning her up- her udders and uh… her… uh… female parts… where the baby will come.”  

“Make sense for things to be clean.  You stay, and I get plenty water.”  

“Okay.  I’m gonna give her some apple as a treat.”  Little Joe ran his hands along the mare’s side.  “She’s contracting.”  

“Takes many times to push life into world.  I fetch the water.”  

Hop Sing and Joe soon had Dainty Lady watered, cleaned, and her tail wrapped as Little Joe had seen Old Ned and his brothers do for other mares.  She then lay down in the straw for the first time.  Little Joe sat down next to her and murmured encouragement into her ear. 

Hop Sing brought a large quilt, worn but warm, and placed it over Dainty Lady.  “Now we wait?”  

“Yeah, now it’s mostly just trying to keep her calm and watching for problems.”  

“You know what problems look like?”  

“Some.”  Little Joe chewed his lower lip. “Worst thing is seeing red coming.  I was there once when Mr. Ned and Hoss had to save the foal.  They sent me out but…”  

“You no go?”  

“Not at first.  Then…” Little Joe dropped his chin and studied the floor.  “It was bad, Hop Sing, but they saved the baby, and when I asked, Hoss explained things to me.  You have to be real fast, and it’s why we have the knife.”  

“No reason to make self nervous with worry.  You been there many times and bad thing happen only once.  If happens tonight, you give Hop Sing orders, and Hop Sing follow them chop, chop.  Hop Sing very good with knife.”  

“Okay.”  

Together Hop Sing and Little Joe waited and watched.  There was no sign that Dainty’s labor was not proceeding normally.  After some time, Hop Sing spoke in a serious tone.  “Boy want to explain how he knew what was happening in stable when he sent to his bed?”  

Little Joe dropped his chin.  “Not really.”  His voice was soft and respectful.  Hop Sing was in full charge of him when his pa and brothers were away.  

“You sneak down to stable behind Hop Sing’s back?” 

“Yes, sir, but I… I had to… I had to check on Dainty.  I just knew I should.”  

Hop Sing’s voice became stern.  “Why you not come to Hop Sing, say why, and ask permission?”  

“I didn’t know, and I…  I should have.”  

“Yes, should have.  Sneaking wrong.”  

“I know.  I’m sorry.  Are you, uh, mad?”  Little Joe shifted nervously. 

“No.” 

Little Joe looked directly into Hop Sing’s eyes. “You’ve got a right to be.”  

“Yes, you disobey.  That show disrespect.”  

Little Joe leaned forward.  “I didn’t mean any disrespect!  Really, really, I didn’t.” 

“I believe you, but you also did not trust Hop Sing.” Seeing confusion come into the child’s eyes, Hop Sing continued.  “You did not trust Hop Sing to understand.  Not give chance to give permission, to do job of keeping boy safe and go with.”  

“Oh.”  It was a soft utterance of realization.  “I respect you lots and lots, and I trust you; I do.  I just…” Hop Sing watched tears fill Little Joe’s eyes.  “I’m sorry.  Please forgive me.”  

Hop Sing reached out and placed his hand against Little Joe’s head.  “I forgive.  You know now what it means to me when you do such?”  

“Next time I’ll come to you.  I will.  I promise.” 

Hop Sing patted the curls beneath his hand.  “I know you keep promise.  All boys need learn to be good.”  

Little Joe gave a weak smile.  “With all the folks teaching me, you’d think I’d learn a lot faster.”  

Hop Sing smiled.  “Mostly you learning fast enough.”  

The two of them settled into a comfortable silence.  Dainty Lady rose and settled several times, drank more water, and nibbled apple slices from Little Joe’s fingers.  Then she laid down in the straw, gave a soft whiny, and opened her legs, tail lifted.   The straw beneath her grew wet.  

“The baby’s coming.  It is!”  

“Soon.  Hold head.”  

Time passed as Little Joe and Hop Sing encouraged the mare each time she shuddered with a contraction.  Finally, a pair of tiny hoofs appeared.  

“Is there red?  Is there any red?”  Little Joe’s voice was edged with fear.  

“No, no red.  Signs good.”  

A bit more of the encased foal appeared with each contraction, and after one final push, a membraned-covered filly lay in the straw struggling to free itself.  Little Joe cheered and then grabbed some old toweling and began to clean up the little one.  He had done it several times before.  The foal was on its feet nuzzling its mother when they heard a commotion outside.  

“What’s going on in there?  Place is lit up like a bonfire!”  Little Joe and Hop Sing both recognized the shout and were not surprised when Old Ned led a group of hands through the doors.  

“Dainty had her baby!”  Little Joe ran up to Old Ned, bouncing with excitement and beaming with joy.  

“She did; now did she?  Is she doing fine?” 

“Yeah, yeah, she is.  Me and Hop Sing saw to everything!”  

“Ya did, now did ya, Little Bit.  Well, let’s just see.” Old Ned strode over to stand beside Hop Sing and surveyed the situation with an experienced eye.  “Nursing already?  Well, I’ll say that it looks like things couldn’t have gone no better.”  He turned to Hop Sing.  “Next thing you two will be taking over this part of my job.”   

Hop Sing shook his head.  “Hop Sing have plenty else to do.  Only followed Little Joe’s orders.  He knew.”  

Old Ned snorted and then gave Little Joe a glance that spoke of pride in the boy.  “He should. We’ve been teaching him for some time.” 

“He learn good.”  Hop Sing’s voice also held pride. 

“Seems so.” 

Little Joe came to stand beside the two men and basked in their praise.  “It’s a filly.”  

“What are ya gonna name her?  Ya earned the right to do the naming.”  Old Ned spit a stream of tobacco juice into the straw.  

Little Joe heard the murmurs of approval and statements of encouragement from the hands that had gathered behind them.  

“I… It’s real important.  I’ll think on it awhile.  That’s okay, isn’t it, Mr. Ned?”  

“No need rushing except to our beds.  Morning’s gonna come too soon.  You two done put in enough work.  Head on up to the house, and we’ll see to things here.”  

“But…” Little Joe started to protest.  

“No buts or I’ll have to tend to yours.  Hop Sing’s got to feed you breakfast, and you got morning chores.  Now scoot.”  

Little Joe’s eyes went to Hop Sing, who nodded and turned to leave.  “Come.”  

Little Joe sighed, knowing he’d never change both men’s minds.  “Okay.  I’ll be back early tomorrow, Dainty.” 

Little Joe’s voice led Hop Sing back to the house and up the stairs as he recounted his version of the birth of Dainty Lady’s foal.  Hop Sing said little but muttered acknowledgments at appropriate intervals.  When Little Joe was in his nightshirt, Hop Sing drew back the bedcovers and pointed.  “In bed now.”  

Little Joe threw himself down and enjoyed the bounce of his mattress.  “We did good, didn’t we?”  

“I think yes.”  Little Joe sighed in pleasure.  “Now need to sleep good.”  

“I have to say my prayers.”  

“Say then.”  

Little Joe did so, making his final sentence a thank you for the foal’s safe birth.  Hop Sing blew out the lamp.  In the darkness, Little Joe spoke softly.  “You owe me a paddling.”  

“Have no plan to paddle behind.”  

“I earned one though.” Little Joe’s voice was barely a whisper. “Pa will see to it if you don’t want to, or even Mr. Ned.”  

“Hop Sing never want to paddle boy; just do what is needed.”  He turned to stare down at Little Joe through the darkness.  “This time think you learn without paddling.”  

“I’ve learned.”  

“Then sleep!”  

Little Joe pulled the covers up over his shoulders.  “Thank you, Hop Sing.”  

Hop Sing shook his head thinking that the boy always had to have the last word. 

HHHHHHH  

 

“I’m done!”  Little Joe pushed his plate to the middle of the kitchen table.  He always ate in the kitchen when it was only Hop Sing and he to home.  

Hop Sing pushed the plate back in front of the boy.  “Boy eat all breakfast Hop Sing make.  No waste.  Dainty horse and foal be fine.”  

Little Joe ate another forkful of eggs.  “Do I have to do chores first?”  

“No.  We go when boy has empty plate and glass.” 

“Okay.”  Little Joe speared a large piece of fried ham.  

“No stuff.  Chew slow before swallow.  No choke or no go.”  

Little Joe looked down, sighed, and started eating the rest of his breakfast at less than breakneck speed.  When he swallowed the last of the milk in his glass, he set it down with a thump.  “I’m ready!”  

Hop Sing smiled.  “Then we go.”  

“Can I take some carrots?”  

Hop Sing pointed to several malformed carrots he had laid aside.  “Yes, but no more apples.”  

Little Joe snatched the carrots and darted out.  Hop Sing followed. They found Old Ned in the stable when they arrived.  

“Are they all right?”  Little Joe ran up to Dainty’s stall and stared at the mare and foal.  

“Right as rain.  That foal is as pretty as her mama and strong as her sire.”  

“Hear that Dainty.  Mr. Ned approves of your baby.  You done a good job, so you deserve a treat.”  He held out a carrot, and Dainty Lady took it and chewed slowly while her baby nursed.  

“She’s done had my special mash for nursing mares already so not many of those.”  Old Ned put his hand on Little Joe’s shoulder.  

“But carrots are vegetables and good for you.  They help your eyes.”  Little Joe looked up at Ned.  “Do you think they make the milk better for the foal’s eyes?”  

“Could be, still, Dainty eyes are just fine, and it ‘pears that that foal’s are too, so only one more.”  

“Yes, sir.”  Little Joe never pressed his luck very far with the man he thought of as nearly a grandfather.   

“Have you been thinking about a name for the little one?”  

“I’ve been considering.”  He turned his eyes toward the man he viewed as nearly an uncle.  “Hop Sing, what does your name mean in English?”  

The question was unexpected.  It was a few seconds before he answered.  “Name talks of coming together for good, joining for success because have harmony.”  

“Harmony?”  

“Yes, name means there be harmony.”  

Little Joe murmured the word several times.   “Harmony’s a nice word.  It sounds nice and means something good.  The filly’s name could be Harmony.  Would ya like that, Hop Sing?  You helped birth her and all.”  

“Hop Sing be proud little filly be called Harmony.”  

“What do you think, Mr. Ned?”  

“I think it would be a fine name.”  

“Do you think Pa will think it’s okay?”  

“Boss will like it just fine.”  

“Hoss should like it.  I ain’t so sure about Adam though.”  

“Harmony is important in music.  Bucko’s always been one for music; he should be fine with it.”  

“Okay, Harmony it is!”  Little Joe placed his arm around the foal’s neck and spoke softly into the equine ear.  “Your name is Harmony, and I’m gonna take care of you and teach you all ya need to know.”  

Old Ned cleared his throat.   “Are ya now?”  

Little Joe’s face grew a cheeky grin.  “You and Hop Sing will help me get Pa to say I can train her all myself, won’t ya?”  

Old Ned exchanged a look with Hop Sing.  “Boss won’t stand a chance against the three of us.”
 

The End 

 

Author’s note: This was written for the 2026 Hop Sing’s Chinese New Year Challenge.  The challenge required that the story include Hop Sing, Little Joe, and a horse (as it is the year of the Fire Horse).  Old Ned is my OC who has appeared in a number of my prequels.  I have no firsthand knowledge of equine births and apologize for any errors in the process that are obvious to the horse people in our readership.