The White Horse
New Everyday English 3 (S56) pg. 76-81
| The White Horse | |
|---|---|
| ? | |
| Details | |
| Word count | 442 |
| Book | New Everyday English |
| Grade | 3 |
| Year | 1981 |
Many years ago there lived a boy in Mongolia. His name was Sooho. He lived with his old mother. He worked hard every day.
One day he found a white baby horse in the woods. He said to himself, "Wolves are often seen around here. I'll take care of it." He took it home.
Sooho gave the horse the name of Grace. He loved her very much. She became his best friend.
Some years passed. Grace grew up and became a beautiful, strong horse. She could run very fast. Sooho rode the horse every day. They were enjoying a happy life.
One day Sooho met a big man in town. The man said, "What a good horse you have!" He wanted Grace very much. He looked at Sooho and thought. "He is a poor boy. He may sell the horse."
He said to Sooho, "I'll give you three pieces of gold. Sell your horse to me."
"Oh, no! I won't sell my horse. She is my best friend," said Sooho.
The big man thought for a minute and said, "I have a very good horse, too. Can your horse run faster than mine? Let's have a horse race next week."
This time Sooho said, "Yes, let's. I like races."
On the day of the race the big man came along with twenty men. He said to Sooho, "Sell this horse for five pieces of gold." He tried to put the money in Sooho's hand.
Sooho said, "No! I came here to enjoy a race."
In fact the men were robbers. Sooho was knocked down by them. The robbers went away with the white horse.
Sooho came home very late. He said to his mother, "I went to the field with Grace this morning. The robbers took her from me." Tears fell from his eyes.
Late that night Sooho heard a sound. He said, "I'll go and see."
"Be careful," said his mother. He went out. There he saw Grace! Grace came back!
Grace looked at Sooho for a minute and fell down. Sooho ran up to her and held her head. But she was dying.
The horse closed her eyes and died. Sooho wept and wept. The mother took his hands and said, "Don't be sad, Son."
Some days later Sooho saw Grace in his dream. She said, "Please make a harp. Use my bones and hair. And when you go out, please carry the harp. Then I'll be always with you."
Sooho made a harp. It had the sweetest sound in the world. He always carried the harp when he went out. And he thought of Grace when he played it.
