The Apple of Her Eye

I was recently tasked with composing a paragraph of 60 words or fewer containing the following: apple, horse, car, boat, water, and stick. I had some ideas, so I threw words into the computer. I changed words and sentences around several times until I completed my first draft. It was 75 words, so I edited it until I finally ended up with fewer than 60. I was able to edit it from 75 to 60 words without changing the meaning of my story. 

However, it turned out differently than the very first original ideas I had in mind when I sat down at the computer. The only thing that stayed the same was that there was a girl who befriended a horse. That overall theme resonated with me, so I stuck with it throughout the process. I did use all of the words in my original story ideas, but the way I used them in the final draft was very different than it was when I started the process.

Here's my story:

She was sailing in her boat, when a horse swam by. Their eyes met as they raced to shore. It was a tie. Laughter caused their eyes to shed water. Running to her car, she nearly stumbled over a stick. She returned to her new friend and offered him an apple. He gratefully accepted. 

Assateague Island, August 2014

 Would you like to try this challenge?