Aesop
|
Greece

The Soldier and His Horse

A loyal horse carried a soldier in war, but after peace, the soldier mistreated the horse until it weakened and could no longer serve.
Loyalty
Respect
Responsibility
Featured in Fable Book
Aesop's Fables - The Soldier and His Horse
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, a Soldier had a loyal Horse. During times of war, the Soldier treated the Horse kindly, feeding him with the best oats and brushing his shiny coat daily. The Horse was always ready to gallop into battle, carrying the Soldier safely.

However, when the war ended, everything changed. The Soldier forgot the bond they shared and treated the Horse poorly. The fine oats were replaced with chaff, and instead of charging into battle, the Horse was made to carry heavy loads from dawn to dusk.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. The Horse grew weaker and weaker, his once proud stance now sagging under the weight of the loads and the lack of proper food.

Suddenly, war was declared again. The Soldier, excited to fight, quickly put heavy armor on the Horse and climbed on, ready for battle. But the Horse, weakened by months of hard work and poor diet, collapsed under the weight.

Looking up at his master, the Horse said, "You have to march into battle on foot now, for you've turned me from a strong Horse into a tired Ass. You can't wish for me to transform back in a split second." And with that, the Soldier was left standing, with no Horse to carry him into battle.

Once upon a time, a Soldier had a faithful Horse. During the war, the Soldier treated the Horse very well. He gave him the best oats to eat and brushed his coat every day. The Horse was always ready to ride into battle and protect the Soldier.

But when the war ended, things changed. The Soldier forgot how important the Horse had been and treated him badly. Instead of oats, the Horse ate cheap food. Instead of riding into battle, he carried heavy loads all day long.

Weeks passed, and the Horse grew weaker. His back bent under the weight, and he didn’t get enough food to stay strong.

One day, war came again. The Soldier wanted to go to battle and quickly put heavy armor on the Horse. But the Horse, weak and tired, fell to the ground.

Looking up at the Soldier, the Horse said, "I cannot carry you now. You turned me from a strong Horse into a weak one. I cannot change back so quickly." And with that, the Soldier had to go into battle on foot, without his Horse.

Once upon a time, a Soldier had a faithful Horse. During the war, the Soldier treated the Horse very well. He gave him the best oats to eat and brushed his coat every day. The Horse was always ready to ride into battle and protect the Soldier.

But when the war ended, things changed. The Soldier forgot how important the Horse had been and treated him badly. Instead of oats, the Horse ate cheap food. Instead of riding into battle, he carried heavy loads all day long.

Weeks passed, and the Horse grew weaker. His back bent under the weight, and he didn’t get enough food to stay strong.

One day, war came again. The Soldier wanted to go to battle and quickly put heavy armor on the Horse. But the Horse, weak and tired, fell to the ground.

Looking up at the Soldier, the Horse said, "I cannot carry you now. You turned me from a strong Horse into a weak one. I cannot change back so quickly." And with that, the Soldier had to go into battle on foot, without his Horse.

Once upon a time, in a kingdom where magic felt as real as morning toast, there was a Soldier and his trusty Horse. Their friendship? Imagine if a toy truck and a toy horse went on adventures together – that kind of legendary!

During war times, the Soldier treated the Horse like a king at his own birthday bash. “Only the fanciest oats for my top teammate!” he'd cheer. The Horse's coat? It gleamed as if touched by morning dew.

“Onward, friend! Adventure calls!” the Soldier would exclaim, making even a tricky battle feel like a fun playground game.

But when peace sang its calm tune, the Soldier got, well, a bit forgetful. Instead of the royal treatment, the Horse started feeling more like the forgotten toy in the toybox. Those yummy oats? They seemed more like leftover breadcrumbs. "The boring bits," Horse would sigh.

Time skipped along, but Horse? His skip had skidded. He went from looking like the main event to feeling like a worn-out teddy.

Then, guess what? The drums of war beat again! Soldier, buzzing with excitement, loaded the Horse with heavy armor, shouting, “Round two, let’s go!”

But Horse, always one for a clever comeback, just flopped and said, “Woah there! You’ve changed me from a dashing hero to, well, a sleepy snail. You can't just snap and expect instant pep!”

With a gulp and a puzzled look, the Soldier realized that maybe, every day should be a ‘treat-your-friends-great’ day.

In a land where battles were always at hand,
Lived a brave Soldier and his Horse, so grand.
Together they charged, both bold and fast,
In the war's fury, their bond so vast.

With oats so rich and a coat that gleams,
They were a team, living out dreams.
The Horse, so proud, with strength and grace,
Carried the Soldier, at every pace.

But peace did come, and times did shift,
The Soldier's kindness began to drift.
No more rich oats, but chaff so dry,
The Horse worked hard, with a heavy sigh.

From dawn to dusk, with loads so grand,
The Horse trudged on, through the soft sand.
His strength did wane, his pride did fall,
Yet the Soldier noticed none at all.

But war returned, drums loud and clear,
Put on the armor, without any fear.
But the Horse, so frail, with strength all gone,
Fell to the ground, as the day dawned.

Gazing upwards, weary and weak,
The Horse spoke softly, his voice so meek,
"Months of neglect, and this heavy task,
You've drained my spirit, and now you ask?"

"To battle you march, but on foot you must tread,
For you left me tired, close to dead."
With that, the Soldier, in armor so grand,
Stood there alone, with no steed at hand.

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Word Finder

  1. Faithful

    Loyal and reliable, always staying by someone.

  2. Battle

    A fight between armies or groups in war.

  3. Armor

    Strong, protective clothing worn during battles.

  4. Protect

    To keep someone or something safe from harm.

  5. Important

    Something that has great value or significance.

  6. Cheap

    Not expensive, costing little money but low quality.

  7. Loads

    Heavy things carried by someone or something.

  8. Bent

    Not straight anymore, curved due to pressure.

  9. Quickly

    Happening or done with great speed.

  10. Weak

    Lacking strength, not strong anymore.

Understanding Questions

  1. How did the Soldier treat the Horse during the war?
  2. What happened to the Horse after the war ended?
  3. Why did the Horse become weak over time?
  4. What did the Soldier try to do when war started again?
  5. What was the Horse's response when the Soldier tried to ride him into battle?
Word Finder
  1. Faithful

    Loyal and reliable, always staying by someone.

  2. Battle

    A fight between armies or groups in war.

  3. Armor

    Strong, protective clothing worn during battles.

  4. Protect

    To keep someone or something safe from harm.

  5. Important

    Something that has great value or significance.

  6. Cheap

    Not expensive, costing little money but low quality.

  7. Loads

    Heavy things carried by someone or something.

  8. Bent

    Not straight anymore, curved due to pressure.

  9. Quickly

    Happening or done with great speed.

  10. Weak

    Lacking strength, not strong anymore.

Understanding Questions

    How did the Soldier treat the Horse during the war?

    1. A) With kindness
    2. B) With cruelty
    3. C) With indifference
    4. D) With fear
  1. What happened to the Horse after the war ended?

    1. A) He was abandoned
    2. B) He was celebrated
    3. C) He was taken home
    4. D) He was sold
  2. Why did the Horse become weak over time?

    1. A) Lack of food
    2. B) Old age
    3. C) Injury
    4. D) Poor treatment
  3. What did the Soldier try to do when war started again?

    1. A) Ride the Horse
    2. B) Leave the Horse behind
    3. C) Sell the Horse
    4. D) Train the Horse
  4. What was the Horse's response when the Soldier tried to ride him into battle?

    1. A) He bucked
    2. B) He stood still
    3. C) He galloped
    4. D) He refused
  1. How did the Soldier treat the Horse during the war?
  2. What happened to the Horse after the war ended?
  3. Why did the Horse become weak over time?
  4. What did the Soldier try to do when war started again?
  5. What was the Horse's response when the Soldier tried to ride him into battle?
  1. How did the Soldier treat the Horse during the war?
  2. What happened to the Horse after the war ended?
  3. Why did the Horse become weak over time?
  4. What did the Soldier try to do when war started again?
  5. What was the Horse's response when the Soldier tried to ride him into battle?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the Soldier started treating his Horse poorly after the war ended?
  2. How did the Soldier's actions towards the Horse affect the Horse's ability to help him in the second war?
  3. Can you think of a time when you saw the results of someone's carelessness or lack of respect towards something or someone important to them?
  4. What does this story teach us about the importance of caring for those who help and support us?
  5. How can we use the lesson from this story in our everyday life to be more thoughtful and respectful?
Fable Quotes
A loyal companion is not to be taken for granted, for neglect can turn strength into weakness.
Respect is earned through loyalty and care; neglect it, and even the strongest bond can crumble.
Taking care of others is a duty that should not be forgotten.
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