Le Petit Cheval in France

Giverny was wonderful. After the beautiful gardens they toured the house itself. It was full of Japanese prints, which highly influenced Monet and the other Impressionist painters of his time. The little horse particularly noted that some of the prints were in several parts, “triptychs,” which is a big word meaning in three pieces. The rooms were beautiful, but full of furniture and china and ropes to keep you out of them. Once again the little horse became impatient. “That could be his middle name,” said Bel Canto, his sister. “The little impatient horse.”

The next day was devoted to touring Paris itself. There is so much to see, and so little time to see it in. “And these grown ups are so pokey,” the little horse wrote to his sister on a postcard of Sainte Chapelle. He signed the postcard, “le petit chaval.” He liked his new name.

Sainte Chapelle is a small church nearly buried in the law courts in the middle of downtown Paris. It is blue and red and gold, painted all over on the inside in wonderful patterns. The ceiling has gold stars painted on a blue background. The stained glass windows are spectacular. Even Le Petit Cheval could have spent hours and hours staring at the beautiful carvings and paintings and the amazing windows. Reluctantly he bid farewell to the beautiful little chapel. Compared to Notre Dame, this was more his size.