Freedom's Given

    Just a quick warning.  I wrote this story a year or two ago and do not consider it to be very well done, since, after all, it was one of the first stories I had every written.  But I think the story  line itself is slightly sweet.  However, I am a horse lover which might have something to do with it.  Enjoy!

  

      The horse screamed as it pawed the air in angry defiance.  Another rope flew through the air, attempting to settle itself around the horse’s neck.  He saw it coming and leaped away in fear.  Men did not scare him.  Their vehicles did not scare him.  But he was wise to their ropes for, when they landed around his neck, there was no escape.  Freedom was more precious than anything else. Life was not worth living without it. 

    Another rope chased after him.  He whirled and ran away, his breath coming in short gasps.  Oh, this pen!  Outside of its enclosure, he would be able to escape from these men, but here the strong plank fence barred every chance of escape. 

~

    Robert wiped perspiration from his face.  The horse had dodged their roped for at least half an hour.  He was beginning to wonder if they would ever be able to catch him.  With a sigh he glanced at his watch, then yelled to his companions, “Hey guys, let’s take a break.  We can tackle this again later.” They quickly left the paddock, sweaty, and breathing hard.  It was the first time that a horse had been able to avoid capture for that long.  Robert glanced back.  The horse was trembling, not from fear, but from frustrated longing, longing to be free.  Robert looked away quickly.  It made him feel sick in the pit of his stomach.

    He remembered his first sight of the stallion.  While riding his horse, Flying Stars, he stumbled across a small valley containing a sparkling, gurgling brook.  Beside the brook a small herd of horses grazed peacefully under the watchful eye of a fine black stallion.  He had spotted Robert right away and while sounding a warning neigh, plunged downward towards his herd.  The lead mare had acted immediately by rounding up the rest of the herd and heading them away from the supposed danger.  Robert, transfixed by the sight of the muscular horse, was unable to urge his horse after them.  When he finally shook himself awake, he simply turned his horse’s head towards the ranch.

    Unthinkingly, Robert had excitedly told his employer, Mark Appleton, “You know that little valley out by Twin Forks?  Well, a herd of horses have been hanging out there.  And the stallion, man, it’s a beauty.  Black.  Big.  Wow.”  He shook his head in wonder.  “I’ve never seen such a good lookin horse.”

    “So, you think he would be worth getting,” his employer narrowed his eyes in thought.  “Then why don’t we go round him up; the herd too.  There should be some descent horses among them.  We’ve needed some new horses anyway.”

    “Well, um, sure, if you want.  I’ll go tell the boys.”  He had walked outside wondering if he was doing the right thing.   

    A few days later, the ranch hands had set off after the stallion.  They had laid careful plans.  They could not fail, and within a few hours they had the stallion captive at the ranch.  However, after a few days, Robert had begun to worry.  Since the time they had brought him in, the horse had had a lost, hopeless look about him.  Captivity might suit some horses, but not this one.  Taking freedom away from him was like taking away his food and water.  He would eventually die. Maybe not physically, but the strong, wild spirit in him would.  He would just be an empty shell of the horse he had been before.  Robert had seen it happen.

    Robert shook the thoughts from his head as he walked towards the bunkhouse.  He called over his shoulder, “We can try again tomorrow.  Maybe he will be more cooperative.”  He washed up, entered the ranch house, and walked slowly down the hall.  He was beginning to lose his nerve, but he had to tell his boss the truth.  Gulping, he straightened up, and walked briskly towards his boss’s office.  He hesitated, then knocked.  A gruff voice called out, “Come in.” 

    As soon as he recognized Robert, his tone softened.  Mark and Robert had been friends since high school, and Make valued Robert’s opinion on everything, even if it contradicted his own.  He waved Robert to a chair, then leaned forward and asked, “How is the training of that stallion coming along?”

    Robert took a deep breath before he answered, “Not good.” He hesitated.  “Do you mind if I am frank with you?”

    Mark grinned, “You always are whether I want you to be or not.”

    “That’s for sure.” Robert chuckled.  He paused, before continuing, “That horse out there is a good one, but he’s not tame, not like Flying Stars or Jet.  He won’t ever be like them.  He’s too wild.”

    “You mean he can’t be trained?”

    “He can, but . . .” Robert sighed; it was so hard to put into words. “His strength and beauty come from the wild spirit inside him.  The only way to train him would be to break that spirit.  We both know that he wouldn’t be worth anything after that.  Not to us, not to anyone.”

    “What are you suggesting?”

    “Let him go,” Robert blurted.

    Mark looked at him, his face expressionless.  For a long time he said nothing.  Finally, he stood up with a sigh.  “I know.  I’ve known from the day I saw him.”

    “Then why didn’t you . . .”

    “Because I wanted him!  When I saw him, I saw a masterpiece.  I’ve always wanted a horse like that.  I didn’t want to let him go.” Mark looked away.

    “You have to,” Robert said in a low voice.

    Mark glanced at him, “You are the only one that wants what is truly right for that horse.” He slowly walked towards the elegant horse painting adorning the wall.  There was a long moment of silence.  Then Mark’s shoulders slumped forwards.  “Let him go tomorrow morning.”

        Robert stood up.  He wanted to say something, but his mind was black.  Turning, he left the room.  As he put the office behind him, his steps became lighter.  The horse would soon be free.  Free! 

~

    Robert woke up early the next morning.  The sun was still hiding beyond the mountains surrounding the ranch, but its glow was already lighting up the sky.  Suddenly, beautiful colors of purple, pink, and orange flooded out to form a spectacular sunrise.  Robert paused, his face full of wonder.  It was so beautiful!

    After staring at it for a moment, he forced himself to walk to the wild stallion’s paddock.  As he drew closer, he could see the stallion watching the sunrise.  The horse suddenly whirled, his whole body tense.  He had spotted Robert and his ears flattened against his head.  Robert murmured softly to him, walking the final few steps to the gate.  He took a deep breath and threw it open.

~

    The stallion huffed heavily as the door, which had kept him prisoner for a week, creaked open.  He took one hesitant step forward.  The man was standing beside the gate, and could easily close it.  He took another step, his eyes trained on the man.  The man stood stalk still.  Energy surged through the stallions veins.  He was still in the terrible enclosure, but nothing was going to stop him from leaving.  Not this man, not a rope, not anything else they had.  Tossing his head, he trotted out, just out, and stopped.  He turned to the man.

~

    Robert was amazed to find the horse looking at him with thankful eyes!  With a gravelly voice he muttered, “Are you trying to thank me ol’ boy?” The stallion stepped so close that Robert could feel his breath on his face.  The horse nickered softly before he turned and stared at the sunrise which was at the peak of its beauty.  Shaking his head, he took a few steps towards it.

~ 

        The stallion gulped the morning air, then leapt away from the man.  Free!  His hooves pounded the dirt as he galloped towards the nearest hill.  Reaching it, he turned back and fixed his eyes on the man still standing by the open gate watching him.  The stallion reared upwards, his hooves pawing at the sky above him. 

~

    Robert whistled long and low as the stallion danced.  Freedom.  What a beautiful sight.  The horse’s feet struck the ground and it seemed to look his way before turning and galloping out of sight.  Robert felt satisfaction deep within his chest.  The horse was free!