We were just crossing the entrance to the

Nordegg trail when I heard a low growl.

"Please, God," I whispered. "Not another moose. I couldn't stand another moose."

I reached forward to pull on Auntie Teresa's coat, but it was too late.

The growl erupted into an enormous roar. I glimpsed something dark racing down the path straight toward us. It threw itself into the air and banged into my chest, knocking me to my knees.

I let out a horrible scream!

Maybe is a big gray mule who wins races, and Sarah Lee is a big-and-tall 12-year-old who's not happy with her size. Her family is headed for the Canadian Rockies for a trail ride. She prays: "Dear Jesus, please keep us safe tomorrow. I don't want to be chased by a cougar or a bear. And Jesus, please make me a different person—someone who isn't fat. Amen."

When Maybe and Sheba, Mum's snow-white Arabian horse, are spooked by a crash in the underbrush, they disappear, leaving Sarah and mum stranded in the woods. Now what?

"God, please take care of Maybe," prays Sarah.

As they hit the dusty trail, Sarah Lee learns a few things about mules. And prayer. And self-esteem. And why God lets bad things happen. And how much she has to be thankful for.