Stormy, Misty's Foal facts for kids
Stormy, Misty's Foal is an exciting children's novel by Marguerite Henry. It was published in 1963 and has amazing pictures by Wesley Dennis. This book is a follow-up to her popular story, Misty of Chincoteague (1947). Both books tell tales based on real people and horses. However, some of the facts were changed to make the stories more fun. Stormy shares what happened on Chincoteague Island during a huge storm. This storm, called the Ash Wednesday Storm, hit the East Coast on March 6, 1962.
The Story of Stormy
The book begins with Misty, a famous Chincoteague pony mare. She is about to have a baby foal, and the Beebe family is very excited. Paul and Maureen, the children, check on Misty all the time. They visit her before and after school, hoping to see the new foal.
Suddenly, a terrible storm hits Chincoteague Island. It brings floods, strong hurricane winds, ice, and snow. At first, people on the island do not want to believe how bad the storm will be. They also do not want to leave their homes. But soon, everyone sees the huge damage the storm causes. Chicken farms are ruined, and many pony herds are scattered.
The Beebe family has to make a tough choice. They bring Misty inside their kitchen to keep her safe from the storm. Then, they must leave the island for safety. Paul also makes sure they bring a nanny goat. He thinks the goat might help if Misty does not accept her new baby.
After the storm, Misty is taken to a vet on the mainland of Virginia. There, she finally gives birth to her foal. It is a brown baby girl horse, called a filly. She has a small white mark on her forehead. The foal is named "Stormy" because of the big storm she was born during. This name was suggested by a letter sent in by a fan.
Most of the book tells about the storm and what happened afterward. The main character, Stormy, only appears near the end of the story. The Beebe family works hard to help Chincoteague and Assateague islands recover. Misty and Stormy become very important in this effort. They perform in shows to help raise money. This money helps the people of Chincoteague rebuild their homes and lives.
