When he turns 12, Savino has to quit school to work and help his family. Savino goes with his father to the mine. He works along side his father and Nelson, his father's pit pony. After lunch, Savino is asked to haul a cart of coal to the top, using Nelson as his guide. When Savino's headlamp burns out, Nelson leads Savino to safety. The story is based on true events. In 1944, the miners received their first paid holiday. The miners insisted the pit ponies also have a week's holiday. It would take another decade before pit ponies were no longer used in the mines.--Ministry of Education website.

Social Studies grade 5 (2010). English language arts grade 3 (2010).