Aesop
|
Greece

The Battle Horse and The Miller

Old warhorse reluctantly works in a mill, longing for past glory, but the wise Miller advises acceptance and adaptation to a new life.
Adaptability
Acceptance
Contentment
Aesop's Fables - The Battle Horse and The Miller
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, there was a strong Battle Horse who had proudly served in many wars. But now, he was getting old. Instead of charging into the battlefield, he was given to a Miller to help in his mill.

At the mill, the horse was put to work turning the heavy millstone, grinding grains into flour. As he worked, he sighed deeply, his heart filled with sadness. "I used to be a mighty warhorse," he said. "I was cherished and cared for. I can't see why this mill work is supposed to be better than the battlefield."

Upon hearing this, the Miller, a wise and patient man, looked at the old horse and said: "It is natural for us all to question our fate. Don't dwell on the past. Things change, and we must adapt."

The Battle Horse took in the Miller's words and continued to grind, trying his best to accept his new life.

Once upon a time, in a land that seemed like it was two doors down from a candy shop, there was a Battle Horse. He had dash, flash, and more than a splash of drama. He remembered epic battles, with knights shouting "Charge!" and him leading the way.

But times changed. Now, instead of epic battles, he was turning circles in a mill. And instead of warriors cheering, he had... ducks? Quacking around him. “From heroic charges to duck parades?” he sighed. “Did I accidentally sign up for a comedy?”

The Miller, who often wore shoes that squeaked for no reason, chuckled, “Life’s like a giant cake, Mr. Battle Horse. Sometimes you're the cherry on top, sometimes you're the sprinkles in the middle. But hey, every part of the cake is delicious!”

The Battle Horse thought for a moment, then said, “Well, I guess if life gives you ducks... you make a duck parade!”

With a quack and a chuckle, the Battle Horse took his new role in stride, showing everyone that even the mightiest can find joy in the quackiest of places.

Once strong and bold, the Battle Horse did stand,
In wars and fights, the bravest in the land.
But time did fly, and youth started to wane,
To the Miller's mill, a new path to gain.

With every turn, the millstone went around,
Grains became flour, in heaps they were found.
Yet in his heart, a sadness did grow,
"From battles to grinding, how did I stoop so low?"

The Miller glanced, seeing the horse's plight,
His eyes filled with wisdom, his heart full of light.
"Dear horse," he said, "life's paths often twist,
It's not where we were, but the moments we list."

"Change is a constant, as rivers do flow,
We must find our purpose, let acceptance grow."
The horse nodded, wiping away a tear,
Embracing his journey, letting go of the fear.

For in every task, there's honor and grace,
Not just in battles or in the race.
The horse, now content, found joy in each day,
Grinding the grains in his own special way.

Share
Feedback

Word Finder

Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. How did the Battle Horse feel when he was moved from the battlefield to the mill?
  2. Why do you think the Miller told the horse not to dwell on the past?
  3. Can you think of a time when you had to adapt to a new situation, like the Battle Horse?
  4. What does this story teach us about accepting change and adapting to new circumstances?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story to our lives when we face changes or new situations?

Fable Quotes

Life's twists may change our path, but adaptability allows us to find contentment in unexpected roles.
Embrace the present, for dwelling on the past only blinds us to the beauty of what's now.
True contentment comes from embracing the present and finding joy in the unexpected paths life takes us.
About

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.