Photo bySoledad LorietoonUnsplash

In the grand, bustling state of New York, nestled between the towering skyscrapers and the roaring Niagara Falls, lies a secret world. A world where kids are not just kids, but fearless horseback riders. And in this world, they don't just ride any horses. They ride on the back of magical, winged horses, soaring above the Hudson River and the Adirondack Mountains, their laughter mingling with the rustling leaves of the forests below. One of these daring riders is a young, freckle-faced boy named Benny. Benny didn't just have an ordinary freckled face, he had a constellation of freckles that when connected, mysteriously formed the shape of a horse. Benny was the proud rider of a horse named Bubblegum. Bubblegum was a magnificent horse, as pink as cotton candy with wings as glossy as marshmallow fluff. They were a sight to behold, a boy and his horse, flying over the twinkling city of New York, dodging hot dog stands, and startling pigeons in Central Park. Bubblegum loved to pull pranks. Once, he took a detour through the Bronx Zoo, causing quite a commotion among the monkeys and elephants. As they flew over Brooklyn, Bubblegum would usually swoop down and steal a pizza slice from the unsuspecting pizza makers. Benny would always blush a bright red, but Bubblegum would just snort out a laugh. The horseback riders of New York were a special breed, a blend of courage, mischief, and a love for adventure. They were the guardians of the skies, the pranksters of the rooftops, and most importantly, they were friends, sharing a bond that was as strong as the steel beams that held up the Empire State Building.