· The Soldier and the Horse

Loyalty fades with neglect

Once, there was a Soldier who owned a faithful and noble Horse. During the long, grueling years of war, this Horse had proven himself to be not only strong but also unwaveringly loyal. The Soldier took great care of him, feeding him the finest oats, brushing his sleek coat until it gleamed, and making sure his hooves were always ready for the charge. This Horse was more than a mere steed; he was a trusted companion, carrying the Soldier fearlessly into countless battles and always returning him safely.

But peace eventually came, and with it, the Soldier's devotion to his Horse seemed to fade. No longer needing a powerful warhorse, he began to treat the Horse with indifference, even neglect. The golden oats were replaced by rough chaff, the daily brushing became infrequent, and the gentle words of encouragement turned into commands. Instead of racing across battlefields, the once-proud Horse was now forced to bear heavy loads from sunrise to sunset, pulling burdens far beyond his share. Day after day, he toiled, his strength slowly draining away, his stance that once commanded admiration now reduced to a weary slump.

Weeks turned to months, and the Horse grew frail under the relentless burden and inadequate food. His muscles weakened, his gleaming coat lost its shine, and his spirit, once unbreakable, began to dim. The proud animal who once charged into battle with his head held high was now a shadow of his former self.

Then, one day, the war drums beat again. Conflict had returned, and the Soldier, his enthusiasm for battle rekindled, hurried to ready his loyal Horse for the front lines once more. He strapped on the old, heavy armor, placed the reins in hand, and climbed onto the Horse’s back, eager for the familiar thrill of combat. But the weight was too much; the Horse’s legs trembled, and he staggered, collapsing under the burden he once would have carried with ease.

Looking up at his master, his eyes full of quiet sadness and wisdom, the Horse spoke softly, "You must walk to battle on foot today. You have taken from me my strength, turning me from a mighty Horse into a weary beast of burden. You cannot expect me to become what I once was in a single moment."

And so, the Soldier found himself standing alone, with no loyal steed to carry him to victory, left to face the consequences of his neglect.