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Black Beauty was born in a peaceful meadow on a kind farmer’s land. His mother, Duchess, was a wise and gentle mare who taught him to behave well and to trust good humans. As a young colt, he spent his days running in the green fields, drinking fresh water, and feeling the warmth of the sun on his shiny black coat. His master treated him with kindness and often patted his neck, calling him “a fine one.” Those early days were full of freedom, care, and love, and Black Beauty remembered them fondly all his life.
When he was old enough to be trained, his master began to teach him how to wear a bridle, saddle, and how to obey commands. At first, Black Beauty found the bit uncomfortable, but his master’s gentle hand and soft voice helped him learn without fear. He soon became strong, graceful, and well-mannered. The farmer told him that good manners and patience would make his life easier wherever he went. After a while, Beauty was sold to Squire Gordon of Birtwick Park, a kind and respectable man who loved horses and cared for them deeply.
At Birtwick Park, Black Beauty met other horses in the stable—Ginger, a chestnut mare with a fiery temper, and Merrylegs, a small gray pony who was cheerful and loved by the children. Ginger had suffered in her past; cruel owners had whipped her harshly, making her distrust humans. Beauty listened to her story and felt sorrow for her pain. Over time, Ginger began to calm down as she realized that the people at Birtwick were kind. They were fed well, kept warm, and treated with respect by John Manly, the head groom, and James, the young stable boy.
Life at Birtwick was peaceful. Beauty pulled the squire’s carriage through the countryside, trotted along country lanes, and sometimes carried Mrs. Gordon for gentle rides. He grew proud of his work because everyone admired his strength and calm nature. But one winter night, Beauty was called to pull the doctor’s carriage through a storm to save Mrs. Gordon, who was ill. The snow was deep, and the road was dangerous, but Beauty bravely carried the doctor to the house and back safely. He was tired but proud when John rubbed him down and gave him warm food. Everyone praised him for his courage and loyalty.
Not long after, Mrs. Gordon’s health worsened, and the Gordons decided to move to a warmer place. It was a sad day when Beauty had to leave Birtwick Park. He was sold to Earlshall Park, where his new mistress, Lady Anne, liked fine carriages and fashionable horses. The stable there was grand, but some of the practices were unkind. The horses had to wear check reins, straps that forced them to hold their heads high even when it hurt their necks. Beauty tried to bear it, but he pitied Ginger, whose temper returned under the pain. She often fought against the reins and was punished for it.
At Earlshall, Beauty met a young groom named Reuben Smith, who was skilled but careless. One day, Reuben drank too much and rode Beauty recklessly. On the way home, the bridle broke, and Beauty slipped, falling painfully and injuring his knees. Reuben was thrown and later found dead. Beauty was nursed back to health, but the scars on his knees stayed forever. Because of those scars, he was no longer considered perfect, and soon he was sold again to a London cab owner.
In London, Beauty’s life changed completely. He was now one of many cab horses who worked long, hard days pulling heavy carriages through noisy streets. His new master, Jerry Barker, was a kind and honest man who treated his horses fairly. Jerry’s family was loving, and Beauty was happy to serve them. He worked beside another good horse named Captain, who had once served in the army. The two shared stories of courage and pain, forming a strong friendship.
Jerry’s work was tough but fair. He never whipped his horses and always made sure they were fed and rested. Beauty admired him deeply and wished all men were like him. Sometimes, cruel drivers in the city would beat their tired horses or make them pull impossible loads. Beauty saw the sadness in their eyes and hoped one day all humans would learn kindness. Despite the busy streets and the hard work, Beauty felt safe under Jerry’s care.
But life took a hard turn when Jerry fell seriously ill during a freezing winter night. He had gone out to deliver passengers in heavy snow and caught a severe cough that grew worse. Unable to work, Jerry had to sell his horses, and Beauty was sold once again. He was sent to a man named Nicholas Skinner, who owned many cabs but cared little for his horses’ well-being. Skinner’s drivers whipped and overloaded their horses cruelly, and the stables were dark and dirty. Beauty’s strength began to fade from the endless work, lack of food, and rough treatment.
One night, exhausted and barely able to pull his cab, Beauty collapsed in the street. A kind man named Joe Green, who had once worked for Squire Gordon at Birtwick, recognized him. Joe felt deep pity for the poor horse and begged for help. With great care, Beauty was taken to a farm where he was allowed to rest and recover. The farmer and his family treated him with gentleness, feeding him well and letting him graze in green fields again. Slowly, his health returned, and his black coat regained its shine.
After some months, Beauty was sold to a kind-hearted pair of ladies who lived in the countryside. They wanted a gentle horse to pull their small carriage, and when they saw Beauty, they were drawn to his calm eyes and graceful nature. To Beauty’s great joy, their groom turned out to be Joe Green, his old friend from Birtwick. Joe recognized him at once and cried with happiness, saying, “It’s our old Beauty!” From that day, Beauty’s life changed for the better once more.
At his new home, Beauty was treated with love and care. He had a clean stable, soft straw to sleep on, and kind voices all around him. The ladies were gentle and thoughtful, and Joe took pride in keeping Beauty healthy and comfortable. His work was light—pleasant drives through the country, where the sun shone, the birds sang, and the roads were safe. He no longer wore harsh reins or felt the sting of a whip. His days of suffering were finally over.
As Beauty grazed in the meadow one quiet evening, memories of his past life filled his mind. He thought of his mother, of kind Squire Gordon, brave Jerry Barker, and poor Ginger. Many horses were not as lucky as he was, and his heart ached for them. But he was thankful for the peace he now had. The farm was quiet, the fields wide, and the people kind. Beauty finally felt that he had found a true home, one where he could live out his days in comfort.
The gentle hands that brushed his mane and the warm words spoken to him each day made him feel safe and loved. Sometimes, the children of the house would visit him, patting his neck and feeding him apples. Beauty would lower his head softly, feeling a bond of trust he had longed for all his life. He had known pain, cruelty, and exhaustion, but now he knew peace, kindness, and rest.
Every morning, Joe would come into the stable, humming as he cleaned and fed Beauty. The air smelled of hay and sunshine, and Beauty would nuzzle him affectionately. He felt strong again, but he no longer had to prove his strength. He had done his part in life—worked faithfully, endured hardships, and remained gentle through it all. Now, his reward was the quiet happiness that came from being loved and cared for.
In the evenings, when the sun dipped low and golden light spread across the fields, Beauty would stand still and watch the sky. His dark coat glowed in the fading light, and he would breathe deeply, feeling the soft breeze. The days of hard roads, heavy loads, and cruel masters were behind him. The peaceful farm, the gentle people, and the familiar voice of Joe were all he needed. He had finally found what every living being seeks—a life of kindness and rest.
Though he could not speak, Beauty’s eyes told his story. They spoke of loyalty, patience, and the quiet strength of a heart that had suffered much but never turned bitter. He had seen both the cruelty and goodness of humans, and in the end, it was kindness that healed him. As the stars began to appear and the night grew calm, Beauty closed his eyes, content in knowing that he was safe, loved, and home at last.