Part #1

BOUDREAU BOWREGARD LE Faye was considered an unusual child in that he loved and desired order around him. He wanted his own flowers and plants and spent time cultivating them wherever his mother would permit the rows of blooming flowers. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than to plant flowers and watch them grow.

Not only was Boudreau considered a bit unusual for desiring beauty and order around him, he was also a boy who was filled with kindness and compassion for others. While other boys his age roughhoused, Boudreau planted, cultivated, and cared for small animals that had become injured.

Boudreau had one brother who was younger by two years. Boudreau's parents named their second son Clemons Snyder. He was called Clem for short. The boys grew up enjoying a close relationship, though they were very different in nature. Clem was more of a follower, whereas Boudreau was definitely opinionated about various aspects of his life and surroundings and displayed leadership capability even at an early age.

When Boudreau celebrated his tenth birthday, his parents gave him a dog. Boudreau had never been sure he wanted a pet, for they always seemed to be so messy. Boudreau had looked forward to his birthday with excited enthusiasm. He visualized all sorts of gifts. When his father carried a large box with a red bow into his room, he was surprised. The box had small holes poked in the top, and it was obvious there was something alive inside. He reached in to lift out the puppy and was rewarded with a lick across his face. From that moment on, Boudreau called the dog "Hovie." He became Boudreau's closest friend.

Clem did not have the same feelings for Hovie that Boudreau had. Clem was more into planning out his lifetime career. He didn't want to be bothered with going through puppy training school with Hovie, and he told Boudreau, "He's your dog; you take him to training school." Once Hovie grew into an adult foxhound and his training had been completed, Clem did become interested in going hunting with his brother. People in the area became accustomed to seeing the two boys walking out into the fields, carrying their guns. Hovie would be out in front of the two boys, searching out game. Seldom did Boudreau and Clem return without shooting either a squirrel or a rabbit, and on occasion a fox.

Boudreau's parents, James and Basilah, had spent years establishing their Arabian horse bloodline. Breeding and training the horses became such a full-time occupation that James left the shipyards and managed the business with his wife. Boudreau and Clem often would go down to the stables and watch their parents work the horses, but they left the care of the horses to those who were professionals. James' sister Jo-Jo had gone into the business with James and Basilah. She had won many awards for showing some of their horses and for participating in the equestrian events. Her name was widely known throughout the southern part of the United States.

When Boudreau was eleven, his grandfather died. Little Boudreau observed the sadness his father was experiencing and asked him about Grandpa Boudreau. James sat down with the boy and said, "Boudreau, Grandpa has not been the same without his loving wife, Lucia."

Boudreau said, "You mean my grandmother, right?"

James smiled. "Yes, I mean your grandmother. You see, he missed her so much that he really was anxious to go be with her. I can picture him in heaven right now. He and your grandmother would probably be sitting in a porch swing, sipping some lemonade with sprigs of mint and talking about how much they loved and missed their family."

Boudreau said, "I wish I could go visit Grandpa and Grandma."

James smiled and said, "One day you will, son, but hopefully it won't be for a long time. We would miss you too much if you were to leave."

Part #2

WHEN BOUDREAU CELEBRATED his thirteenth birthday, his gift was a surprise from the Middle East. Abu and his wife of ten years flew by private plane to spend some time with James, Basilah, and their sons. Abu's wife was a beautiful young Arabic woman named Aeeshah. James had smiled when he first saw her at the wedding, for she was strikingly beautiful. She reminded James of the descriptions that Abu had given him when he was growing up in regard to the beauty of an Arabic woman. In their first year of marriage, a son was born to them, and within the second year they had a daughter. Their son was named Amir, and the daughter was named Emira.

James was pleased that Abu had found a woman he could love and who would be an asset to him in his reign. Abu's mother had passed away a few years ago, and now Abu had his own immediate family. Though there was a considerable difference in their age, Abu and Aeeshah were very close.

When Abu and Aeeshah arrived in Lake Charles for the birthday celebration, a limo was waiting to pick them up. It was followed by a pickup truck towing a horse trailer. When the plane landed, two horses were led off from the back by several grooms. One horse was a gift to Boudreau, whereas the other was to be a gift to Clem or Basilah. Abu had decided that since it was Boudreau's birthday and not Clem's, he would leave the decision to the parents as to who got the other horse. Both horses were to be an addition to their Arabian bloodline.

When the limo and pickup drove into the lane leading to the plantation, Abu saw a large number of Arabians in the pastures lining each side of the lane. He had always known that Basilah was a top-notch horsewoman, but this was proven once again as he looked over the horses and saw the quality of the bloodline.

The limo pulled up to their home, and Abu stepped out. He helped Aeeshah and the two children out of the vehicle. Amir was looking around, and then he asked, "May I walk over to the fence and look at the horses?" Abu told him he could do so but to stay away from the fence because the Arabians were high-spirited.

Basilah and James were walking toward the driveway from the stables. Trailing behind them were Boudreau and Clem. When Basilah saw the horse trailer, she looked at Abu and asked, "Is someone getting a present today?"

Abu laughed and answered, "Basilah, you know me too well. The one horse is to be a birthday gift for Boudreau; the other horse is for you to decide the owner."

Basilah smiled, then gave him a hug, and said, "Abu, you are too kind to us. Thank you."

The grooms opened the trailer and led the two horses out onto the grass. Both James and Basilah commented on the beauty of the two horses. Basilah looked at Boudreau and asked, "Which horse would you like? You may select since this is your birthday."

Part #3

BOUDREAU LOOKED AT the horses and selected one that was deep brown in color. The horse had dark, flashing eyes and a small patch of white in the middle of its forehead. Basilah smiled at his choice. Her son had learned well. He thanked Abu for his birthday gift and was told, "Boudreau, there is some history I want to share with you in regard to the Arabians. You see, son, these horses are the most significant thing in life to the Arabs; they are the symbol of our erected fortresses, our everlasting treasures, our finest glory, and our securest way of defense. As such, the Arabs take great interest in horses, and our knowledge has excelled about these animals more than all other nations. We look at these horses and see the real beauty of our country."

James was standing with his arm around...