The Horses' Council

: MODERN FABLES
: Boys And Girls Bookshelf

ADAPTED FROM JOHN GAY





Once upon a time, a restless, dissatisfied horse persuaded all the other

horses on the farm that they were oppressed by the man who owned them,

and that they should rebel against him.



So a meeting was called to which all the horses came, to argue the

matter and see what should be done. One wanted one thing, one another,

and at the last a young colt, who ha not yet been trained sprang to the

front with tossing mane, and proud, arched neck, and eyes of fire, and

thus addressed the listening throng of horses:



"What slaves we are! How low has fallen our race! Because our fathers

lived in their service, must we too toil? Shall we submit ourselves to

man, and spend our youth in servile tasks; with straining sinews drag

the ploughshare through the heavy soil, or draw the carrier's heavy load

in winter cold or beneath the sun of summer? See how strong we are, how

weak man is! Shall we subdue our strength, and champ a bit, and serve

his pride? Not so. Away with bit and bridle, rein and spur! We shall be

free as air!"



He ceased, and with a step of conscious pride regained his place among

the crowd, from which came snickers of applause and neighs of praise.



Then from behind the crowd, with slow and stately movements, came an

aged steed. He faced the turbulent crew, and with firm accents that

compelled their silence, he began to speak:



"When I was young as you," he said, "I too cried out for freedom from

the daily toil that was my task. I soon had better thoughts. Man toils

for us. For us he braves the summer heat, to store our food. If we lend

him our strength to plough the land, he sows and reaps the grain, that

we may share it, as we share the toil. Through all the world's history

it has been decreed each one must in some way aid the other's need."



He ceased, and left the place, and by his words the council quietly

dispersed.