I neigh in terror, pawing at the filthy floor trying to escape from the whip that The Man Is wielding. But my constraints are merciless unmoved of my terror and agony.
I wonder where have i erred for the beating is particularly vicious today My eyes rolled back I quiver at the look of black rage on The Mans face. I try to recollect but my mind is fogged up both with pain and the way God has made me. I can’t think much you see, sometimes it’s a blessing and sometimes a curse. And I am supposed to remember so many things and commands I keep messing up.
Suddenly it dawns on me, the whistle, I was supposed to stop at the whistle and turn back but I kept moving. What a fool I was. But The Boy was so gentle, such a change from most riders who pull and tug at my reins so harsh that it hurts bad in my mouth, kicking my stomach trying to make me run fast, unmindful of my lame leg and my hunger thirst and exhaustion.
The Boy was different, vibrant and kind, he never wanted a gallop nor was he pulling my reins hard. He just let me adjust the steel thing that bangs on my teeth and tugs at my tongue as comfortable as I could make it. Caressing my neck gently, he talked with me whispering softly. The entire ride was blissful with my leg not as throbbing as usual.
I was a racehorse in another life, could run hard and run fast winning quite a few derby’s. Pampered well fed and accoladed I was content with my life. But as time progressed I found I was not able to run as fast, I had gone lame in a leg and my life collapsed around me. I was given less food and was lonely unkempt and despondent all the time. Unwanted and ignored. One day The Man took me away. I remember shuddering at the bad emanating from him. Led away to a life where I was to give joyrides till I could in exchange for a little food and a lot of beatings.
We were nearing the end of ride and I snapped out of my reverie The Man and The Boy were talking something. I was lost in my thoughts wishing that only if The Man and all riders were as compassionate as The Boy. Don’t know why I felt that The Boy will take me with him away from my abysmal existence. Away to a life of compassion of care.
This is where I am supposed to stop and stop I did, but The Boy urges me on. His voice is sweet in my ears as he tells me to move and I start running. Running in hope Running in fear,and then The Man whistles. The sound does penetrate the fog and my desperation but I keep running and then to my dismay The Boy reins me in and turns me back. My heart pounding wildly I see The Man. Angry like never before! My reins are snatched and pulled brutally the steel biting down hard as I am led away.
That Horse of Mahabaleshwar by.
Veeru.
