Little Peon...

First, Little Peon was actually a racehorse.  Second, close friends have sometimes affectionately referred to me by the same name.  And yes, dear ones, there is a story here...

Thirty-six years ago I was working at a little theatre owned by a company which also owned other theatres across the country.  One weekend our Executive Director had to suddenly be away which happened to be the very same weekend the owner of the whole theatre corporation was coming into town for meetings the following week.  Soooo, it fell upon myself and another staff member, Sam, to show Bob the town all weekend.

Sam and I carefully planned out a itinerary of museums, concerts, and the kinds of things we thought Bob would like to see.

However, when Sam and I picked Bob up at the airport, he shot our careful planning all to hell!  Bob wanted to get out and have some fun!  Museums and concerts were DEFINITELY not on his itinerary!

I asked, "Have you ever been to horse races?  Would you like to spend time at the track first?"

"Yes!  That's it, Adelaide!  I've never been to a horse race before!  Let's do it!"

So we got to the track in time for the second race.  But first Sam and I had to give Bob a crash course in how best to pick horses and place a bet.

Bob had beginners luck by choosing a horse we suggested, and he won!  He was ecstatic!

As I was looking to see who was running in the third race, I saw there was a horse named Little Peon running, which was a huge longshot.  Not expected to win at all.  So I placed a $2 bet on him anyway.  The guys thought I was crazy, and they bet on other horses.

When the horses entered the homestretch, Little Peon, which actually WAS a little horse, took the lead!  The announcer was screaming by now.  Little Peon came in first!

Everyone around me tore up their tickets and grumbled.  Not me!  Because Little Peon was such a longshot, a winning ticket paid $220.00!  And to me that was a lot of money then!

We remained for several more races, having a blast...with the guys asking my advice before each race, and both having good luck.  But I didn't bet anymore.  I wasn't about to lose my Little Peon windfall!

So you see, dear ones, never ever underestimate what a Little Peon is capable of doing...