Black Beauty 48, 49

Enjoy this bedtime tale to help you drift off into a peaceful slumber. Tonight's reading is Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. Through the eyes of a horse, chapters 48 and 49 conclude the experiences of Black Beauty. This audio is perfect for children or adults who want to relax, discover magic, or embark on an adventure before a great night's sleep.

Transcript

Chapter 48 Farmer Thorogood and His Grandson Willie At this sale,

Of course,

I found myself in company with the old broken-down horses,

Some lame,

Some broken-winded,

And some old.

The buyers and sellers,

Too,

Many of them,

Looked not much better off than the poor beasts that they were bargaining about.

There were poor old men trying to get a horse or a pony for a few pounds that might drag about some little wood or coal cart.

There were poor men trying to sell a worn-out beast for two or three pounds,

Rather than have the greater loss of letting them go.

Some of them looked as if poverty and hard times had hardened them all over,

But there were others that I would have willingly used the last of my strength in serving,

Poor and shabby,

But kind and human,

With voices that I could trust.

There was one tottering old man who took a great fancy to me,

And I to him,

But I was not strong enough.

It was an anxious time.

Coming from the better part of the fair,

I noticed a man who looked like a gentleman farmer with a young boy by his side.

He had a broad back and round shoulders,

A kind,

Ruddy face,

And he wore a broad-brimmed hat.

Then he came up to me and my companions,

He stood still and gave a pitiful look round upon us.

I saw his eye rest on me.

I still had a good mane and tail,

Which did something for my appearance.

I pricked my ears and looked at him.

There's a horse,

Willie,

That has known better days.

Poor old fellow,

Said the boy.

Do you think,

Grandpa Pie,

He was ever a carriage horse?

Oh,

Yes,

My boy,

Said the farmer,

Coming closer.

He might have been anything when he was young.

Look at his nostrils and his ears,

The shape of his neck and shoulder.

There's a deal of breeding about that horse.

He put out his hand and gave me a kind pat on the neck.

I put out my nose to answer his kindness,

And the boy stroked my face.

Poor old fellow,

See,

Grandpa Pie,

How well he understands kindness.

Could not you buy him and make him young again like you did with Lady Bird?

My dear boy,

I can't make all old horses young.

Besides,

Lady Bird was not so very old as she was run down and badly used.

Well,

Grandpa Pie,

I don't believe that this one is old.

Look at his mane and tail.

I wish you would look into his mouth,

And then you could tell.

Though he is very thin,

His eyes are not sunk like some of the old horses.

The old gentleman laughed.

Bless the boy.

He is as horsey as his old grandfather.

But do look at his mouth,

Grandpa Pie,

And ask the price.

I'm sure he would grow young in our meadows.

The man who had brought me for sale now put in his word.

The young gentleman's a real knowing one,

Sir.

Now the fact is,

This here horse is just pulled down from overwork in the cabs.

He's not an old one.

And I heard as how the veterinary should say that a six month's runoff would set him right up,

Being as how his wind was not broken.

I've had the tending of him these ten days past,

And a more pleasanter animal I've never met with,

And it would be worth a gentleman's while to give a five pound note for him and let him have a chance.

I'll be bound he'd work twenty pounds next spring.

The old gentleman laughed,

And the little boy looked up eagerly.

Oh,

Grandpa Pie,

Did you not say the colt sold for five pounds more than you expected?

You would not be poorer if you did buy this one.

The farmer slowly felt my legs,

Which were much swelled and strained.

Then he looked at my mouth.

Thirteen or fourteen,

I should say.

Just trot him out,

Will you?

I arched my porth and neck,

Raised my tail a little,

And threw out my legs as well as I could.

For they were very stiff.

What is the lowest you will take for him,

Said the farmer as I came back.

Five pounds,

Sir.

That was the lowest price my master set.

"'Tis a speculation,

" said the old gentleman,

Shaking his head.

But at the same time slowly drawing out his purse.

Quite a speculation.

"'Have you any more business here?

' he said,

Counting the sovereigns into his hand.

"'No,

Sir.

I can take him for you to the inn,

If you please.

' "'Do so.

I am now going there.

' They walked forward,

And I was led behind.

The boy could hardly control his delight,

And the old gentleman seemed to enjoy his pleasure.

I had a good feed at the inn,

And then was gently ridden home by a servant of my new master's,

And turned into a large meadow,

With a shed in one quarter of it.

Mr.

Thorogood,

For that was the name of my benefactor,

Gave orders that I should have hay and oats every night and morning,

And the run of the meadow during the day,

And you,

Willie,

' said he,

"'must take the oversight of him.

I give him in charge to you.

' The boy was proud of his charge,

And undertook it in all seriousness.

There was not a day when he did not pay me a visit,

Sometimes picking me out from all the other horses and giving me a bit of a carrot,

Or something good,

Or sometimes standing by me while I ate my oats.

He always came with kind words and caresses,

And of course I grew very fond of him.

He called me old crony,

As I used to come to him in the field and follow him about.

Sometimes he brought his grandfather,

Who always looked closely at my legs.

This is our point,

Willie,

' he would say,

But he is improving so steadily that I think we shall see a change for the better in the spring.

" The perfect rest,

The good food,

The soft turf,

And gentle exercise soon began to tell on my condition and my spirits.

I had a good constitution from my mother,

And I was never strained when I was young,

So that I had a better chance than many horses who had been worked before they came to their full strength.

During the winter my legs improved so much that I began to feel quite young again.

The spring came round,

And one day in March Mr.

Thorogood determined that he would try me in the Phaeton.

I was well pleased,

And he and Willie drove me a few miles.

My legs were not stiff now,

And I did the work with perfect ease.

He's growing young,

Willie.

We must give him gentle work now,

And by mid-summer he will be as good as a ladybird.

He has a beautiful mouth and good paces.

They can't be better.

Oh,

Grandpapa,

How happy and glad I am that you bought him.

So am I,

My boy.

But he has you to thank,

More than me.

We must now be looking for a quiet,

Gentile place for him,

Where he can be valued.

Chapter 49 My Last Home One day,

During the summer,

The groom cleaned and dressed me with such extraordinary care that I thought some new change must be at hand.

He trimmed my fetlocks and legs,

Passed the tarbrush over my hoofs,

And even parted my forelock.

I think the harness had an extra polish.

Willie seemed half anxious,

Half merry,

As he got into the chase with his grandfather.

If the ladies take to him,

Said the old gentleman,

They'll be suited and he'll be suited.

We can but try.

At the distance of a mile or two from the village,

We came to a pretty low house with a lawn and shrubbery at the front and a drive up to the door.

Willie rang the bell and asked if Miss Bloomfield or Miss Ellen was at home.

Yes,

They were.

So while Willie stayed with me,

Mr.

Thorogood went into the house.

In about ten minutes he returned,

Followed by three ladies.

One tall,

Pale lady,

Wrapped in a white shawl,

Leaned on a younger lady with dark eyes and a merry face.

The other,

A very stately-looking person,

Was Miss Bloomfield.

They all came and looked and asked questions about me.

The younger lady,

That was Miss Ellen,

Took to me very much.

She said she was sure she should like me.

I had such a good face.

The tall,

Pale lady said that she should always be nervous in riding around a horse that had once been down,

As I might come down again,

And if I did,

She should never get over the fright.

You see,

Ladies,

Said Mr.

Thorogood,

Many first-rate horses have had their knees broken through the carelessness of their drivers without any fault of their own.

And from what I see of this horse,

I should say that is his case.

But of course,

I do not wish to influence you.

If you incline,

You can have him on trial and then your coachman will see what he thinks of him.

You have always been such a good advisor to us about our horses,

Said the stately lady,

That your recommendation would go a long way with me.

And if my sister Lavinia sees no objection,

We will accept your offer of a trial with thanks.

It was then arranged that I should be sent for the next day.

In the morning,

A smart-looking young man came for me.

At first he looked pleased,

But when he saw my knees,

He said in a disappointed voice,

I don't think,

Sir,

You would have recommended my ladies a blemished horse like that.

Handsome is that handsome does,

Said my master.

You are only taking him on trial,

And I'm sure you will do fairly by him,

Young man.

If he is not as safe as any horse you've ever drove,

Send him back.

I was led to my new house,

Placed in a comfortable stable,

Fed,

And left to myself.

The next day when the groom was cleaning my face,

He said,

That is just like the star that Black Beauty had.

He is much the same height,

Too.

I wonder where he is now.

A little further on,

He came to the place of my neck,

Where I was bled and where a little knot was left in the skin.

He almost started,

And began to look me carefully over,

Talking to himself.

White star in the forehead,

One white foot on the off side,

This little knot just in that place,

Then looking at the middle of my back.

And as I am alive,

There is that little patch of white hair that John used to call Beauty's three penny bit.

It must be Black Beauty.

Why,

Beauty,

Beauty,

Do you know me?

Little Joe Green that almost killed you?

And he began patting,

And patting me,

As if he was quite overjoyed.

I could not say that I remembered him,

For now he was a fine grown young fellow,

With black whiskers and a man's voice.

But I was sure he knew me,

And that he was Joe Green,

And I was very glad.

I put my nose up to him,

And tried to say that we were friends.

I never saw a man so pleased.

Give you a fair trial.

I should think so indeed.

I wonder who the rascal was that broke your knees,

My old Beauty.

You must have been badly served out somewhere.

Well,

Well,

It won't be my fault,

If you haven't good times of it now.

I wish John Manley was here to see you.

In the afternoon I was put into a low park chair,

And brought to the door.

Miss Ellen was going to try me,

And Green went with her.

I soon found that she was a good driver,

And she seemed pleased with my paces.

I heard Joe telling her about me,

And that he was sure I was Squire Gordon's old Black Beauty.

When we returned,

The other sisters came out to hear how I'd behaved myself.

She told them what she had just heard,

And said,

I shall certainly write to Miss Gordon,

And tell her that her favorite horse has come to us.

How pleased she will be.

After this,

I was driven every day for a week or so,

And as I appeared to be quite safe,

Miss Lavinia at last ventured out in the small closed carriage.

After this,

It was quite decided to keep me,

And call me by my old name of Black Beauty.

I have now lived in this happy place a whole year.

Joe is the best and kindest of grooms.

My work is easy and pleasant,

And I feel my strength and spirits all coming back again.

Mr.

Thorogood said to Joe the other day,

In your place he will last till he is 20 years old,

Perhaps more.

Willie always speaks to me when he can,

And he treats me as his special friend.

My lady's a promise that I shall never be sold,

And so I have nothing to fear,

And here my story ends.

My troubles are all over,

And I am at home,

And often before I am quite awake,

I fancy I am still in the orchard at Birtwick,

Standing with my old friends under the apple trees.

And that is the end of our story this evening.

Until next time,

Sweet dreams.

Reviews

A sweet and lovely ending, at least— the life of horses was a harrowing one, especially in that peak, Thank you for sharing ✨🙏🏼✨

Thank you so much for telling this iconic story in such a beautiful way! 🙏 the lovely horses that offer us their full presence and help us come back to the eternal now, for all that have a heart to to see with! I’ve heard that the horses are there to lead us on the way towards enlightenment - this was surely true with my Max that I had from his birth to his last breath, 25 years he gave me 🙏🐴🧡💛