THE SOLDIER and HIS HORSE
by Aesop · from Aesop's Fables; a new translation
Adapted Version
Once, there was a soldier and his horse. The Soldier loved his horse in war. The Soldier gave The Horse good food. He gave The Horse fresh water. He brushed The Horse every day. The Horse's coat was shiny. The Horse felt happy. The Horse became very strong. The Horse was very fast. The Soldier was happy with his horse. He knew The Horse would help him.
Then the war stopped. The Soldier did not need The Horse. He stopped caring for The Horse. He gave The Horse dry, bad food. It was old, dry grass. The food was not good for The Horse. He made The Horse work very hard. The Horse pulled heavy things every day. The Soldier did not brush The Horse. He did not give much water. The Horse became very thin. Its bones showed. The Horse became very weak. It was always tired. It felt sad.
Then a new war started. The Soldier needed his horse again. He needed to go to war quickly. He put on his heavy clothes for fighting. He put the saddle on The Horse. He put the bridle on The Horse. The Soldier thought The Horse was strong. He thought The Horse was fast. He wanted to ride to the fight. He thought The Horse would carry him well.
The Soldier got on The Horse. The Horse was very thin. The Horse was very weak. It tried to stand tall. But the soldier was heavy. It could not carry the soldier. The Horse slowly fell to the ground. It made a soft sound. It was too tired to stand up. It lay there, breathing hard.
The Horse spoke to the soldier. Its voice was soft. "I am not a strong warhorse," The Horse said. "I am a weak, tired horse. My legs are shaky. My body hurts. You gave me bad food. You made me work too hard. You did not care for me. I cannot be strong again quickly. I cannot carry you to the war." The Horse looked at the soldier. It said, "Care for things. They help you later." The Soldier felt sad. He understood The Horse's words. The Soldier had to walk to the war. He walked alone.
Original Story
THE SOLDIER AND HIS HORSE
A Soldier gave his Horse a plentiful supply of oats in time of war, and tended him with the utmost care, for he wished him to be strong to endure the hardships of the field, and swift to bear his master, when need arose, out of the reach of danger. But when the war was over he employed him on all sorts of drudgery, bestowing but little attention upon him, and giving him, moreover, nothing but chaff to eat. The time came when war broke out again, and the Soldier saddled and bridled his Horse, and, having put on his heavy coat of mail, mounted him to ride off and take the field. But the poor half-starved beast sank down under his weight, and said to his rider, "You will have to go into battle on foot this time. Thanks to hard work and bad food, you have turned me from a Horse into an ass; and you cannot in a moment turn me back again into a Horse."
Story DNA
Moral
Do not neglect your resources in times of peace, for you may need them again in times of war.
Plot Summary
A soldier meticulously cares for his horse during wartime, ensuring its strength and speed. When peace returns, he neglects the horse, using it for drudgery and feeding it poorly. When war breaks out again, the soldier attempts to ride his heavily armored horse into battle, but the weakened animal collapses. The horse then tells the soldier that his neglect has rendered it useless for war, forcing the soldier to face the consequences of his short-sighted actions.
Themes
Emotional Arc
regret to realization
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables are ancient Greek stories often featuring anthropomorphic animals to convey moral lessons, reflecting common societal values and practical wisdom.
Plot Beats (5)
- During wartime, a soldier feeds and cares for his horse exceptionally well to ensure its strength and speed.
- When the war ends, the soldier ceases his care, using the horse for menial labor and feeding it only chaff.
- Another war begins, and the soldier prepares for battle, saddling and bridling his horse and donning his heavy armor.
- Upon mounting, the half-starved horse collapses under the soldier's weight.
- The horse tells the soldier that his neglect has turned it into an 'ass' and it cannot instantly become a strong warhorse again, forcing the soldier to go to battle on foot.
Characters
★
The Soldier
A man of average height and sturdy build, accustomed to the rigors of military life. His face is likely weathered from exposure to the elements during wartime, with a practical, unadorned appearance.
Attire: During wartime, he wears a heavy coat of mail, likely made of interlocking metal rings or plates, over a padded tunic. In peacetime, his attire would be simpler, perhaps a coarse wool tunic and trousers, reflecting his reduced circumstances or lack of care for appearances.
Wants: To ensure his own safety and success in war, and to minimize effort and expense in peacetime.
Flaw: His short-sightedness and self-serving nature, which leads him to neglect his resources when they are not immediately useful, ultimately harming himself.
He fails to learn from his past experiences and suffers the consequences of his neglect, demonstrating no personal growth within the story's timeframe.
Opportunistic, short-sighted, neglectful, pragmatic, self-serving.
◆
The Horse
Initially a strong, well-fed warhorse with powerful muscles and a healthy coat. Later, he becomes gaunt and weak, with ribs showing and a dull, unkempt coat due to neglect and poor food. He is a large, sturdy breed suitable for carrying a soldier in armor.
Attire: During wartime, he wears a sturdy leather saddle and bridle, possibly with some decorative elements. In peacetime, these are removed, and he is likely fitted with simple work harnesses for drudgery.
Wants: To survive and perform his duties, initially for his master, later simply to endure.
Flaw: His physical dependence on his master for sustenance and care, which makes him vulnerable to neglect.
Transforms from a powerful warhorse into a weak, 'ass-like' beast due to his master's neglect, ultimately refusing to perform his former role.
Loyal (initially), enduring, patient (to a point), resentful, wise (through experience).
Locations
Soldier's Stable (Wartime)
A well-maintained stable, likely part of a military encampment or a prosperous household, where the soldier's horse is kept in prime condition.
Mood: caring, prepared, diligent
The soldier tends to his horse with great care, ensuring it is strong and swift for battle.
Soldier's Stable (Peacetime)
The same stable, but now neglected and poorly maintained, reflecting the soldier's lack of care for his horse. It is likely dusty and sparse.
Mood: neglected, desolate, harsh
The soldier uses his horse for menial tasks, providing poor food and little attention, leading to the horse's weakened state.
Stable Entrance / Courtyard
The area just outside the stable, where the soldier attempts to mount his horse for the renewed war.
Mood: tense, urgent, revealing
The soldier, dressed for battle, tries to mount his weakened horse, which collapses under his weight, leading to the horse's poignant refusal.