FABLE XLIII
by John Gay · from Fables of John Gay (Somewhat Altered)
Adapted Version
In a big green field, many horses lived. The field was full of sweet, green grass. The sun was warm on their backs. But one young horse was not happy. He did not want to work. He wanted to play all day long.
The Young Horse looked at his friends. "I do not like to work," he said. "We have to pull heavy things. We pull the heavy cart. We pull the big plow. The work is hard all day."
"I want to play in the green field. I want to run in the sweet grass. I want to jump over the fence." He stamped his foot. "I want to run! I want to jump! The ropes in our mouths are bad. We should run free."
The other young horses listened. They stopped eating the green grass. They nodded their heads. "Yes!" they said. "We want to play! We want to be free! Work is too hard."
Then, an old, wise horse came near. He was the oldest horse in the field. He had seen many seasons pass. He walked slowly. He looked at the young horses. His eyes were soft and kind.
The Old Wise Horse spoke. His voice was low and calm. "I was young once," he said. "I liked to play, too. But I also worked. I helped the man. I was strong and pulled the plow."
"Now, I am old. I cannot work hard anymore. But the man is good to me. He is kind. He gives me good food every day. He gives me fresh water to drink."
"The man gives us a warm home. Our home is a big red barn. When it rains, we are dry. When it is cold, we are warm. The hay is soft in our home. We are safe in the barn."
The Old Wise Horse spoke. He said, "We help the man. And the man helps us. It is good for the horses. It is good for the man. We need the man. The man needs us. Everyone can be happy this way."
The Young Horse listened. He thought about the words. He thought about the warm barn. He thought about the sweet hay. He thought about the cool water. He understood.
He was happy to help the man. He was happy to work hard. The work was good. The rest was good. The Young Horse was happy now. He liked his good food. He liked his warm home. He was a happy horse.
Original Story
FABLE XLIII.
Council of Horses.
A steed with mutiny inspired
The stud which grazed the mead, and fired
A colt, whose eyes then blazing fire,
Stood forth and thus expressed his ire:
"How abject is the equine race,
Condemned to slavery's disgrace!
Consider, friends, the deep reproach—
Harnessed to drag the gilded coach,
To drag the plough, to trot the road,
To groan beneath the pack-horse load!
Whom do we serve?—a two-legged man,
Of feeble frame, of visage wan.
What! must our noble jaws submit
To champ and foam their galling bit?
He back and spur me? Let him first
Control the lion—tiger's thirst:
I here avow that I disdain
His might, that I reject his reign.
He freedom claims, and why not we?
The nag that wills it, must be free!"
He paused: the intervening pause
Was followed by some horse-applause.
An ancient Nestor of the race
Advanced, with sober solemn pace;
With age and long experience wise,
He cast around his thoughtful eyes.
He said: "I was with strength endued,
And knew the tasks of servitude;
Now I am old—and now these plains
And grateful man, repay my pains.
I ofttimes marvelled to think, how
He knew the times to reap and plough;
And to his horses gave a share
Of the fair produce of the year.
He built the stable, stored the hay,
And winnowed oats from day to day.
Since every creature is decreed
To aid his brother in his need,
We served each other—horse and man—
And carried out the Eternal plan,
And each performed his part assigned:
Then calm your discontented mind."
The Nestor spoke—the colt submitted—
And, like his ancestry, was bitted.
Story DNA
Moral
True freedom and well-being often come from understanding one's role within a mutually beneficial system, rather than from rebellious individualism.
Plot Summary
A young, rebellious colt incites a mutiny among a group of horses, passionately arguing for their freedom from human servitude and the indignity of their labor. The other horses are swayed by his fiery speech. However, an ancient, wise horse steps forward to offer a counter-argument, explaining that humans provide essential care and provisions, making the relationship one of mutual benefit and fulfilling a natural order. Convinced by the elder's wisdom, the colt submits, and the rebellion is quelled, reinforcing the importance of understanding one's role within a system.
Themes
Emotional Arc
rebellion to acceptance
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
John Gay's fables were popular in 18th-century England, often satirizing political and social issues of the time through animal allegories. This fable reflects common societal views on hierarchy and the benefits of an established order.
Plot Beats (9)
- A spirited steed, a colt, begins to stir up discontent among the other horses in the meadow.
- The colt delivers an impassioned speech, decrying the 'slavery' of the equine race, their labor, and the indignity of serving 'feeble' two-legged men.
- He challenges the idea of being bitted and spurred, asserting the horses' right to freedom.
- The other horses respond with applause, indicating their agreement with the colt's rebellious sentiments.
- An old, experienced horse, described as the 'Nestor of the race,' slowly approaches the assembly.
- The elder horse acknowledges his own past servitude but points out that in his old age, he is repaid by grateful man.
- He explains that humans provide for the horses, knowing when to reap and plough, building stables, and storing hay and oats.
- The Nestor concludes that horses and men serve each other, fulfilling an 'Eternal plan' where each performs their assigned part.
- Convinced by the elder's wisdom, the rebellious colt accepts his place and is 'bitted' like his ancestors, ending the mutiny.
Characters
The Colt ★ protagonist
A young, strong horse with a lean, muscular build, likely of a spirited breed known for speed and agility. His coat is probably a vibrant, healthy color, suggesting youth and vitality.
Attire: None, as a horse. His only 'attire' would be the tack imposed by humans.
Wants: To achieve freedom and independence for the equine race, to throw off the perceived yoke of human slavery.
Flaw: Impulsiveness, lack of experience, easily swayed by rhetoric, prone to anger.
Begins as a fiery rebel, advocating for equine freedom. He is ultimately swayed by the wisdom of the Elder Horse and submits to his traditional role, becoming 'bitted' like his ancestors.
Rebellious, fiery, passionate, impulsive, idealistic.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young, muscular horse with a vibrant, healthy coat, standing on its hind legs, forelegs raised, head held high. Its wide, dark eyes are bright with defiance, and its full, untamed mane flows around its neck. Its mouth is slightly open as if speaking passionately. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Ancient Nestor of the Race ◆ supporting
An old, wise horse, perhaps a bit gaunt with age but still possessing a dignified presence. His coat might be faded or dappled with grey, showing the passage of many years. His muscles, while still present, would be less defined than a younger horse, suggesting a life of hard work.
Attire: None, as a horse.
Wants: To maintain harmony and order, to share the wisdom gained from a lifetime of experience, and to justify the established relationship between horses and humans.
Flaw: Perhaps a tendency to accept the status quo without questioning, or a lack of understanding for the younger generation's desire for radical change.
Remains consistent throughout the story, serving as the voice of wisdom and tradition. He successfully persuades the Colt to abandon his rebellious stance.
Wise, experienced, calm, traditional, pragmatic, grateful.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly horse with a faded, dappled grey coat, standing calmly and facing forward. Its long, thoughtful face has deep-set, kind eyes that convey immense wisdom. Its mane and tail are thin and grey. Its posture is steady and grounded, with a slight bow of the head. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Meadow
A lush, open pasture where a stud of horses grazes. The ground is covered in green grass, implying a fertile environment. It's a place of relative freedom for the horses before their work.
Mood: Initially restless and rebellious due to the colt's speech, then settling into a more accepting, reflective mood.
The young colt incites a rebellion among the horses, questioning their servitude, and the wise old horse (Nestor) delivers a speech advocating for the symbiotic relationship between horses and man.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, verdant meadow stretches under a clear, bright sky, with tall, lush green grass swaying gently in a soft breeze. In the middle distance, a group of horses grazes peacefully, their coats gleaming in the natural light. The horizon is low, revealing rolling hills in the far distance, suggesting an expansive, open landscape. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Stable
A sturdy, well-maintained structure built by man to house horses. It contains stored hay and winnowed oats, indicating care and provision. This is the place of shelter and sustenance provided by humans.
Mood: Secure, warm, and a symbol of the provision and care offered by humans, contrasting with the 'slavery' perceived by the colt.
Mentioned by the wise old horse as an example of man's provision and care for horses, highlighting the benefits of their partnership.
Image Prompt & Upload
Inside a rustic, well-kept timber stable, shafts of warm, dusty sunlight stream through high windows, illuminating motes in the air. Rough-hewn wooden stalls line the walls, filled with fresh, golden hay. Bins of winnowed oats are neatly stacked against a sturdy timber beam, and the packed earth floor shows signs of daily sweeping. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
