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The Horse With The Special Shoe
The Horse With The Special Shoe
Copyright 2005
A Note from the Author
Thanks for your interest in “The Horse with the Special Shoe”
This short story for children and adults is copyrighted, so all
the text is under my copyright. I added some Powerpoint
clipart and public domain pictures so you would have
something to feast your eyes on rather than just the text. But,
I was very limited in what I had to work with so please don’t be
expecting anything that looks professionally illustrated.
Please let me know what you think of the story – would love
some feedback.
Once upon a time in the Land of Fern Forest there lived a
Nobleman who owned a stable of many horses. He owned one
hundred horses and had many different types of horses.
The Nobleman owned some horses who were exceptionally
strong and large and who could plow the fields all day long.
These horses were called the Thunders because when they
galloped across the open fields after a long day’s work their
large hooves made the sound of thunder. The Thunders were
a very beautiful tan color with light manes and tails.
The Nobleman’s stable also included the horses called the
Warriors. The Knights of Fern Forest rode the Warriors when
defending the Nobleman’s castle and estate. The Warriors were a
very courageous and strong breed and were not afraid of war.
They were a larger breed and wore armor to protect themselves in
battle.
The Nobleman also owned horses that were very athletic and
liked to show their skills before crowds of people. These horses
were called the Toppers because they tried to top what all the other
horses did. The Nobleman’s sons would often ride the Toppers in
races and jumping contests. Sometimes a Topper would become
injured in a race, but the Toppers never seemed to care what risk
they were taking. They loved to show off in front of the crowds.
They wore braided ribbons in their tails and manes.
1st
Lastly, there were the Cart Pullers. The Cart Pullers were
said to be descendants of the Warriors breed. The Cart
Pullers were a very faithful and smart breed.
Although the Cart Pullers were a smaller breed they could
easily pull the Nobleman’s coaches when he and his family
had to go somewhere. They would also pull any coaches
that were transporting needed food and supplies.
One Spring day when all the baby horses were born there
was a new, beautiful white foal with large dark eyes and grey
legs who was part of the Cart Pullers breed. His parents
loved him and gave him the name Pepin. As Pepin grew up
he noticed when he ran and played with all the other young
horses sometimes his back would get sore.
The Toppers made fun of Pepin and said his sore back
was all in his head. The Toppers never had sore bodies
unless they got injured so they thought that Pepin was
faking his sore back. The Thunders said Pepin should
just keep exercising and his back would get better.
Exercise is what always helped the Thunders’ backs. And
the Warriors said they really didn’t know what to do about
Pepin’s sore back. The Warriors just didn’t say anything.
The Drifter
The Village Square
One night, the Drifter talked to the Stable Boy about Pepin’s
sore back. The Stable Boy went into the stall where Pepin lay.
He said, “Don’t be sad, Pepin. I know of someone who can help
you. He will know how to heal you”. When Pepin heard those
words, tears streamed from his eyes. He really wanted to be
healed but he thought he had tried everything and nothing
worked.
Pepin was ashamed of his sore back and while choking back
his tears Pepin said in a shaky voice, “Thank you my King for
coming here. I have tried in the past to be the best horse and
exercise hard but my back keeps getting sore. Other horses
tell me I am faking or that I should just exercise hard but the
exercise does not cure me. I am sorry that I am not the horse
others want me to be.”
The King stroked Pepin’s face and wiped away his tears and
said, “My dear Pepin please do not be sad. I know your heart.
I know that you are not faking your pain. I know you have
tried. You have an honest, faithful heart. I have come here
tonight to heal you not to harm you.”
The King slowly and gently ran his hand across
the sore spots on Pepin’s back and then he ran his
hands down each one of Pepin’s gray legs. Then
the King stepped back and carefully looked at
Pepin’s back left leg. “His left back leg is shorter
than his right back leg. That is why he is walking a
bit crooked and his back gets sore”, said the King.
Copyright 2005