Jingle the Horse and the Joyride Through the Snow - A Children's Story

Jingle the Horse and the Joyride Through the Snow

By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral of the Story

The greatest joy comes not from how fast we go but from the laughter we share along the way. When we choose happiness, we create memories that jingle in our hearts forever. Life’s ride is meant to be enjoyed, not rushed. Smiles, friendship, and kindness are the true music of Christmas. Even a simple act of joy can brighten an entire world of snow.

Jingle was a chestnut horse who pulled a one-horse open sleigh through a small snowy village. Every winter, his silver harness bells were polished until they sparkled, and his mane was brushed until it gleamed in the sun.

He loved this time of year. When the air turned crisp and white, and snow covered the fields, Jingle knew that Christmas was near, a season filled with laughter, music, and kindness.

Jingle belonged to a cheerful boy named Tommy, who cared for him tenderly. One December afternoon, Tommy came running toward the barn with excitement in his eyes. “Jingle, today’s the day,” he said with a grin. “We’re going to surprise the children in town with sleigh rides.”

He fastened the harness around Jingle’s strong shoulders and placed shiny red ribbons through his mane. Then, he hitched the sleigh, a beautiful red one that glowed in the sunlight, and climbed aboard.

“Ready, Jingle?” he called out.

Jingle pawed at the snow and snorted proudly, as if to say, “I was born ready.”

With a soft flick of the reins, they trotted down the snowy path. The bells on Jingle’s harness jingled in rhythm with every step, filling the air with a cheerful melody. The sound echoed through the pine trees and across the frozen fields, carrying the joy of Christmas far and wide.

When they reached the village, children gathered around, cheering and laughing. “It’s Jingle!” one shouted. “The Christmas horse!”

Tommy smiled. “Who wants a ride?”

“Me! Me!” the children cried, bouncing with excitement. They climbed into the sleigh, bundled in scarves and mittens, their faces glowing with happiness.

Jingle lifted his head proudly and began to trot, pulling the sleigh through the snow. The children’s laughter rang through the air, blending with the sound of the jingling bells.

As the sleigh glided down Main Street, the children began to sing loudly, their voices bright and full of joy.

🎵
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh,
O’er the fields we go,
Laughing all the way!
Bells on bobtails ring,
Making spirits bright,
What fun it is to laugh and sing!
A sleighing song tonight!
🎵

Then they sang the chorus together, their voices echoing into the clear blue sky.

🎵
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way,
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh!
🎵

The people in the village stopped to listen, smiling and waving as the sleigh jingled past. Even the shopkeepers stepped outside to hum along. The little town glowed with happiness.

Jingle trotted faster, his bells ringing louder with every stride. Snowflakes sparkled like diamonds in the air as they raced past the frozen pond and through the park.

But then, as they reached the top of a hill, a sudden gust of wind blew snow into Jingle’s face. He slowed his pace; his vision blurred. Tommy leaned forward and patted his neck. “It’s all right, boy. Take your time.”

Before they could turn back, one of the children called out, “Don’t stop, Jingle! We believe in you!”

Those words filled Jingle’s heart with courage. He pressed forward through the swirling snow, steady and strong. The sleigh glided smoothly down the hill, the bells ringing joyfully all the way.

When they reached the bottom, the children clapped and cheered. Tommy laughed. “You did it, Jingle! You made everyone’s Christmas brighter.”

Jingle neighed proudly, shaking his head so the bells sang even louder. He didn’t need to speak. His joy was in the sound of every cheerful jingle that filled the cold winter air.

As the sun began to set, the sky turned soft shades of pink and gold. Tommy guided Jingle back to the barn while the children waved goodbye, still singing the song that now belonged to them all.

Back in his warm stall, Jingle rested his head on the straw and listened. The laughter and singing still echoed faintly in the distance. It was the same sound that made him happiest, the sound of joy shared among friends.

That night, as stars shimmered overhead, Jingle closed his eyes with peace in his heart. He had learned that the beauty of Christmas was not found in ribbons, gifts, or speed, but in the smiles created along the journey.

And every winter after that, Jingle and Tommy returned to the village to give sleigh rides. The bells rang, the laughter soared, and the song of Christmas lived on through the jingling of a horse who loved to spread joy.

Poem

Through fields of white and skies of gray,
A sleigh and song led hearts to play.
Each jingle told of laughter’s cheer,
A melody for all to hear.
The snow may fade, the seasons part,
But joy stays shining in the heart.
For every soul that laughs today,
Keeps Christmas love from slipping away.

Questions for Thought

1.     What made Jingle happiest about giving sleigh rides?

2.     Why did the children’s song help Jingle keep going?

3.     What lesson can we learn about sharing joy with others during Christmas?