Glory

A farmer went to the annual animal sale market in a nearby town. His farm was on the outskirts of the village and he had to travel long distances to get his vegetables to the town markets to sell. So he was looking for a horse to pull his loaded cart. He got a good shire horse at a great price. Happy with the bargain he got, he headed home. On the way, he stumbled upon a black market selling animals. He tied his horse to a tree and went inside to have a look. A majestic black mare caught his attention. The seller gave him a deal that was too good to resist, the farmer took it. Little did he know this mare was stolen and smuggled from a far away breeding farm.

He reached home and showed his wife the two lovely animals he bought. "What shall we name them?" the farmer asked his wife. "Let's name the shire horse Rambo, he looks strong and this mare is so glorious, she needs to be called Glory", she replied. "Done then, Rambo and Glory it'll be", said the farmer. "But honey, we have just one cart. What will we do with two horses?" asked his wife. "Well I have another cart in the store. I'll get that one ready too", he said. Soon he had two carts ready and assigned one to each horse. His business flourished as he was able to get more wares to the market sooner.

He worked hard in the fields and it paid dividends, as yield increased. With more vegetables to sell he started overloading the carts. Rambo though, refused to pull the extra load put in his cart. He would just not move, no matter how much the farmer whipped him. So, inevitably, the load went into Glory's cart. She was strong and obedient and would pull the extra load. As time passed the load in her cart kept increasing. The farmer's wife did not appreciate him overloading Glory's cart, though he continued to do so. "Honey is it not unfair to load Glory's cart with so much more than Rambo's?" she enquired with her husband as they lied down on the bed one night. "I know, but life is not fair! It's not been fair to us, it's not fair to her! The one who does, is made to do more. The one who understands, is made to understand more. The one who cooperates, is made to cooperate more. Others are often left off the hook because they are stubborn. That's how life is", he said with a sigh, obviously he had faced more than his fair share of hardships in life. "Wrong has happened to you is no justification for you to do the same to another, dear", said his wife, there was a pause of contemplation then. "Good night. Let's sleep now, it's raining heavily and I need to start early tomorrow morning", said the farmer in a low tone and switched off the lights.

The next morning it was still raining. He knew the roads would be mucky and it would be difficult to pull the carts through the muddy roads. He went to the stable and looked at Glory. "I'm sorry darling. You will have to do the difficult job today as well. Rambo won't be able to do it today", he said to Glory while patting her on the neck. So he loaded her cart and was on his way to town. His wife looked on with pity in her eyes, pity for Glory. Through the muck and through small streams, she struggled but never stopped. She hated being whipped and would move just at the sight of a whip. Carrying heavy loads on difficult paths had made her very strong. She proved it that day as they reached the market place on time.

The farmer set up his stall to sell the vegetables and tied Glory to a nearby tree. The farmer was selling his wares, when a chariot came by. The owner asked the charioteer to stop. "Wow!" he exclaimed, "look at that mare. She's a beauty. Let's go ask who she belongs to", said the man to his son who was with him in the chariot. The two walked up to Glory. The man patted her and caressed her neck. "How may I help you", asked the concerned farmer. The man introduced himself and offered to buy Glory. "I'm sorry, she's not for sale", said the farmer. "Well don't be hasty now, listen to what I have to offer", said the man. "I offer you two horses instead of this one. Both strong and capable enough to pull your carts", offered the man. The farmer was tempted, two for one seemed too good to resist. "OK. I will take two horses and some money and give you Glory", he negotiated. "Glory?", enquired the man. "Oh that's her name", replied the farmer. "Done", said the man, "I'll be right back". "Dad, why are you paying so much for one mare?" asked the boy. "Young man, what you see there", he said pointing to Glory, "is a pure blue blood racing horse. She's born to run races, not pull carts". He handed over two horses and money and the farmer handed over Glory to her. "Just remember one thing sir, she doesn't like being whipped. Just show her the whip and that's enough to make her move", said the farmer to the man.

Just like that the farmer parted ways with his most priced possession. Money is a funny thing. Glory had been loyal, but same could not be said about the farmer who did not take long to sell her. Well, that is the difference between animals and humans. The farmer's role in Glory's life was over now. "Dad, she's been pulling carts all her life. I don't think she can run", said the boy. "Don't be judgemental now dear boy, where you are, may not be your destiny. Rather, it could be the road that leads you to it!" explained the man to the boy. They took Glory to his farm where they gave her a wash, trimmed her mane and tail, gave her new horse shoes and saddled her up. She was given special food and training for the next few weeks. Finally it was derby day and it was time to test her mettle.

Tringgggg.... went the starting bell and the horses were away. What followed was the stuff that fairytales are made of. It was a resounding and comprehensive win for Glory. The crowds cheered for the underdog who won her first race in grand style. The man and his son were ecstatic. They accompanied Glory and her jockey, as reporters clicked pictures. The next morning the boy came running to the stable, where his dad was sitting with Glory. "Dad our picture is in the newspaper!" exclaimed the excited young boy. Proudly, the man picked up the paper and held it in front of Glory. "See what you have achieved girl!" he said, then turned to his boy. "Neve be judgemental boy, where you are may only be a road that leads to your destiny!" he said to the boy, who nodded in acknowledgement. "When situations in life are tough, remember, God is preparing you for your grand destiny. The hardships Glory faced, pulling heavy carts, dragging the cart through mucky roads, facing the whip etc. all just made her stronger. Infact they made her so strong that she had no troubles defeating other seasoned race horses. Sometimes we stray off course, when we ignore all indications to get back, with his 'whip', God ensures we get back on track. Difficult times don't last, tough beings do. Deal with tough situations with courage, they only make you stronger and help you achieve glory!" he explained to his son. "Come now, it's time for breakfast", he said to his boy, put his arm around the boy's shoulder and they walked towards their house.