In this exclusive “Reflecting on Kindness” series, Ponysitters Club members reflect on moments from episodes that allowed them to express different forms of kindness.
In this week’s journal entry, Trish demonstrates kindness through the themes of secrets, guilt, anxiety, honesty, sharing what’s on your mind. She shares how these themes allowed her to express kindness by not bottling up negative emotions, trying to protect people you care about, trusting friends enough to confide in them.
After the Club returns from a camping trip in “Fire Scare” (S01E07), Trish begins to act differently. Other Ponysitters pick up on this, but give her space to work out whatever is on her mind. Eventually, the pressure gets to be too much and Trish reveals what’s been bothering her: she thinks Grandpa started a forest fire that’s creeping nearer and nearer to Rescue Ranch! She learns that it feels a lot better to let those you care about know what’s bothering you, and if you’re worried about a loved one, to let them know right away — there might not be a reason to worry.
Dear diary,
Phew, what a day! I spent most of today worried that Rescue Ranch might burn down and that Grandpa might go to jail and I’m exhausted from all that worrying! I like keeping my energy level high, but I never want it to be this high ever again!
I guess I need to explain. We just had our first Ponysitters Club camping trip and it was pretty great — Skye learned she was allergic to wildflowers, Isabella learned everyone is allergic to poison ivy, but a fun trip apart from that. When we were just about ready to leave, Grandpa and I were in charge of putting out the campfire. That’s where it all started to go wrong.
He threw a bowl of water into the fire pit, but afterwards I could still see a few sparks. I went to help Billy pack up and trusted that Grandpa knew how to put out a fire, but I really wanted to double check and make triple sure it was out before we left. I didn’t get a chance though, and I didn’t really think much more about it until I heard about the forest fire.
When we got back to Rescue Ranch, we could see huge clouds of smoke coming from the campsite. As soon as I saw the smoke, my stomach just dropped. I started to sweat and feel sick and my mind was racing and I couldn’t slow it down no matter what I did. I know I should have said something right away, but I was worried Grandpa would be in trouble if I told anyone he started the forest fire. I thought he might go to jail, and then Rescue Ranch would have to close and there would be no one to care for the animals and no more Ponysitters Club. Even worse, I felt like I was just as responsible as Grandpa since I noticed the leftover sparks and didn’t tell him.
I felt so guilty for the rest of the day. It was eating me up inside so much I couldn’t have fun with the Ponysitters. Everyone definitely noticed — I kept running to the bathroom and drifting in and out of conversations. Eventually, I just HAD to tell the Ponysitters, and what a relief! I immediately felt soooo much better after sharing how I was feeling with my friends, and they helped give me the courage to tell Grandpa and Billy. Grandpa let me know that after I left, he threw another 10 bowls of water into the fire pit to make extra, extra, extra sure it was out. Even better, the forest fire died down shortly after I got my secret off my chest — maybe it was nature telling me that it’s better to share secrets that are making you upset with people you trust. I’m so glad Grandpa and I don’t have to go to jail!
Did you know that kids can become a real member of the Ponysitters Club? Learn how to join and be sure to inspire your kids to be doers by downloading the 4‑H Inspire Kids to Do Activity Guide!
