Theme: Patience, Acceptance, Gratitude

The horse’s stubbornness

Roberto lived on a farm and every day, after doing his homework, he would go for a walk with his horse Tarzan.

In a very hot day, Roberto felt like go swimming to cool off. He rode his horse headed towards the lake.

It turns out that, to get there, they had to leave the dirty road, which was the widest path, and enter a narrower path, in the middle of many bushes of tall grass.

Tarzan was used to passing by. He had gone with Roberto to the lake many times. In some of them he even entered in the water with the boy and the two had fun together.

But that day, after turning off the road and heading for the lake, Tarzan took a few steps and stopped. Roberto was surprised by the horse's attitude and kicked him with his heels, shaking the reins and saying:

– Come on, Tarzan, we're almost there!

The horse, however, remained still. The boy made the command gestures again, more firmly, but it was no use. Tarzan did not move.

Roberto, irritated, insisted, in vain, trying to make the horse to walk.

– Tarzan, you stubborn, who told you to stop?

The boy got off of his horse and tried to take him by the bridle, but then it was Tarzan who got nervous, who whinnied, stomped his paws hard, and turned back, running back to the dirty road.

Roberto had no other option. He couldn't be without his horse. The lake was not far away, but then walking back would be a very long walk. So, he also returned, found Tarzan, got on him, and returned home.

When Roberto arrived, his mother, noticing the boy's irritation, asked what happened.

– It turns out that Tarzan is stubborn! – he replied – When we were almost there, he decided to stall and there was no way to make this horse walk. We had to come back, without swimming, without even seeing the lake. I got really mad at him!

– Wow! – the mother was surprised – Tarzan never did that. He's a docile horse, he is used to riding with you...

The two were still talking when Roberto's father entered the house looking for his son.

– Glad I found you, son. I wanted to warn you not to go to the lake today.

Roberto and his mother looked at each other without understanding what was happening.

The father then explained:

– Today I went to work in the plantation, and on the way back I came along the lake path. Suddenly, Tupã, who was a little bit ahead of me, stopped and started barking, looking distressed. I got scared and stopped. And when I looked closely, there was a huge rattlesnake, curled up, under a bush. I wouldn't see it if it wasn't for Tupã. I don't know if he saw it, heard it, smelled it, or just felt that there was a snake there. All I know is that he saved me. The snake must have been bothered by Tupã because she moved and entered the bush. But she could still be there. That's why I don't want you to go there today. Okay, son? It can be dangerous.

Robert was speechless. It was his mother who told his father what happened, and they all concluded that, like their dog, Tupã, the horse Tarzan must also have noticed the snake's presence and avoided a terrible situation.

– Oh my God! I was very unfair to Tarzan! – Roberto said sadly.

– If you are regretted son, go there and please Tarzan. He will understand your feeling.

– Interesting, – she continued – see how things are. We must always be patient with everything that happens, because we can often be freed from situations that we can't even imagine, right?

– For sure, Mom! – Roberto said, empathetic.

The boy took two carrots from the kitchen and went to take them to his friend.

While Tarzan was eating, Roberto patted him with affection and thought about the lesson he had learned that day: sometimes we have some annoyance, or something doesn't go the way we want, but only God can tell if that's really bad or good for us.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com