Sometimes the Gods can be Kind
Sometimes the Gods can be Kind
By
William W. Kelso
The entity drifted slowly and aimlessly through the air. If you had seen it you would have probably just thought it was just a slightly brighter beam of sunlight, or maybe some early morning mist. It was an incredibly ancient being, and had no idea of where it had come from, how old it was, or how much longer it would exist. It had always been, and would always be. It was as much a force of nature as the wind or rain, and its kind have been with us since we first became aware. Humans knew of these beings, they called them Gods, Sprites, Faeries, Muses, and many other things. But for all of that men had never really understood them, and they have been largely forgotten much to the sorrow of mankind. The entity is neither good nor bad, at best it can be described as indifferent, caring little about what goes on in the world of man and seldom interfering. However, while it roams the world at random it is drawn to the secret peaceful places, places of beauty and serenity. For it is there that it draws its power.
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I had never known my father very well, he had been killed in Viet-Nam when I was just ten years old. All that I really remembered about him was from the few times he came home on leave before my mom divorced him. I remembered a big strong stern man who always intimidated me to a great extent, but also remember how he would hold me in his lap and tell me fantastic stories of faraway places. We owned a small farm with two horses, and my best memories were when he would take me horseback riding. I had loved living and working with the horses more than anything. When we received word he had been KIA with no details given I was still too young to really understand. Over the years I came to hate him for what I perceived as being abandoned, and had not really thought much about him in years.
My mother had sold the small ranch soon after, and the two horses as well. Then my mother got remarried and my new stepdad made sure I knew he didn't want me around, and the feeling was mutual. So at the tender age of sixteen I left home and was on my own. For almost forty years I roamed the world as a merchant sailor, usually on rusty old tramp freighters, and I saw more amazing and wonderful sights then many can even dream of. I always had some old stray mutt that I'd pick up in some backwater port somewhere, and my crewmates always put up with it as every ship had some sort of mascot. Men who love the sea are amazing softies when it comes to some scroungy old dog or cat, I think it's because they're the animal equivalents of us. I made the best friends I would ever have, mostly simple men who were fiercely loyal to their friends and crewmates, and wouldn't have traded those friendships for all the treasure in the world. I still stay in contact with some of my old crewmates, and they send me letters and photos and souvenir knick-knacks from all over the world.
But I had missed horses more than anything else as our two horses had been the only childhood friends I really had. So eventually I had left the sea and returned to the land. I had never been a big spender as my needs were always simple so I had managed to save a fair amount of change. I bought a small place in Missouri with lots of nice trees, an old cabin and small stable/barn that I renovated. It was far off the beaten track which was fine with me. A nice big clear flowing stream bordered the property, and there was a nice little meadow clearing nearby that the owner of the bigger place next door said I was welcome to use anytime. His name was Mr. Barnes and he was a good guy, and I did odd jobs for him over the years, and we became friends. I'd drop by his place from time to time for a homemade dinner and a few beers and was always welcomed by him and his wife. Good people.
When the stable was finally finished my next step was to find a good horse. I went to a couple of fairs and stock shows, but just wasn't able to find what I was looking for. I looked at so many beautiful horses, but nothing clicked. Then one day I was at a small local auction when I saw a horse kind of stuck away in a stall all by itself. I was curious so I wandered over to have a look. The poor old mare was a sorry sight. Her tail and mane were long and tangled and full of burrs, and her coat was matted and dirty. There were ticks in her mane and she had old sores from spurs on her sides. She was plain brown with a black mane and tail, and I could tell her hoofs needed lots of attention. She stood there with her head hanging down like she didn't care about anything anymore, and there wasn't even any water in the stall, or food. I found a bucket and filled it, and slowly approached her and put it within in reach. She gave a soft snort and began to drink eagerly, and when I patted and stroked her neck she didn't pull away or show any concern about my touch. And I fell in love right then and there. I found the owner, a real asshole that I wanted to punch out so badly, and I bought her. He told me all sorts of lies, and charged me way too much, but I didn't care. I had a new friend and that was all that mattered.
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It was hot and I was so tired and hungry, and when I looked around for water there wasn't any, but I was used to that. I just didn't care anymore. I had tried to please my master as best I could, but nothing I did was enough. He had punished me often, but I felt it was my own fault. He had brought me to this place several times and other humans had come to look at me, but none had stayed for very long, which displeased my master even more. I did not know what I did to make him so mad, but as a result I had come to dislike humans and only wished for them to leave me alone. And I was so thirsty. Then another human came to look at me, the first one in some time, but I ignored him wishing he would go away. But then he did a nice thing, and brought me a bucket of water, and I was so thirsty. While I drank he gently stroked my neck, and I did not pull away as his touch was different from my masters. It did not bring pain or discomfort, and it was a welcome change. When he left I watched him going, pricking my ears in his direction and hoping he would come back, but like all the others he left and I went back to staring at nothing.
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First thing I did right there in that old stall was to groom and brush out her coat, tail, and mane. It took me hours, it was obvious she had been neglected for months, if not years. The man who owned the auction lot was nice enough to let me borrow his grooming kit and let me stay after hours. He could tell I wasn't going to cause any trouble, and he was glad that the horse had finally found someone who cared. Been trying to sell that old mare for that jerk for over a year, he said. He also gave me the name and number of a good farrier, and made arrangements for him to come in the morning and work on her hooves. Finally, well after midnight, I was through. And standing back I couldn't believe the change. Gone was the filthy glue factory candidate, and in its place was a beautiful sleek brown mare with a long luxurious mane and tail. I just stood and stared at how lovely she was, but so thin! And while I had been grooming her I had found under her matted hair a small six pointed white blaze in the middle of her forehead. And the whole time I had groomed her she had stood quietly and patiently, making soft sounds of pleasure, and even when it must have hurt as I ran the brush through her tangled mane and tail, and removed the ticks she didn't complain at all. The lot owner even brought me some fresh hay and oats later, on the house, and told me he'd never seen the horse put up with anyone's attentions so well before, that she had always been mean and contrary. I don't know why she seemed to accept me, maybe she felt I was as lonely as she was, and was just glad to find someone to take care of her.
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I was so pleased when the kind human came back to visit me again, and to my delighted surprise he began to groom me, and his touch was so gentle and sure. He was careful and tried not to hurt me, but even when it hurt a little I didn't complain. And as I felt the old matted hair come out, and felt the comb being pulled through my tail and mane I was so happy, it felt so good! So I softly snorted and grunted to show my appreciation for the wonderful touch. And I felt so much better with all the old itchy hair and horrible vermin gone. And then he brought me oats! The first I had had in I could not remember how long, and greedily I tried to satisfy my hunger. And when he left again I looked up, and wanted him to stay so bad. I tried to follow, but the stall door wouldn't let me out.
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I spent the night in my truck parked outside the entrance to the auction. Didn't get much sleep as the farrier came bright and early, which was fine by me. He worked on the mares hooves for over two hours, and he was mad when he finished. He told me whoever had let her hooves get like that should be horse whipped, to which sentiment I heartily agreed. He said they the hooves were too tender for him to shoe her right now but to give him a call in a few weeks and let him look at them again. Then the next was a trip to the vet, and again the auction owner really surprised me by letting me borrow a single horse trailer for the trip. He just told me not to worry about it. The vet had to worm her, and cleaned her teeth, but he said other than being a little skinny she was in good shape. And to my surprise I found out she was only around twelve years old! She'd looked much older because of the neglect.
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To my continued happiness the kind human came back early in the morning, with a big armful of lovely fresh hay and a fresh bucket of water. He had another human with him that at first I didn't care for, but he smelled of other horses and was also kind. I let him work on my hooves, and it hurt a little but felt good too. When he was done my hooves were sore, but nice and clean and I could stand easier. And then later the kind human took me on one of the rides I enjoyed so much, going so fast with the wind blowing in my face and all the amazing sights. And he took to see another kind human who had gentle hands. I did not care for it much when he cleaned my teeth, but the kind human was there and I did not want to make him mad by misbehaving, so I endured it. And they did feel better after.
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The auction owner extended his loan of the trailer so I could get her back to my place. And in return I cleaned up the old trailer and painted it for him, and you should have seen his face when I brought it back! I've always been one to return favors. And then he let me rummage through an old pile of unsold tack and saddles, and I found a nice old English or Plantation style saddle, a good bridle, a hackamore, and some other useful stuff that he just let me have for nothing. Said he just going to throw it all away, uh huh!
I had the stable/barn ready for her when we arrived. I had lined the stall with a thick layer of fresh sweet hay, filled the water bucket, and had a bag of oats waiting. I led her into the barn, then took off the lead and let her check the place out. She looked around a little, curiously sniffing and sticking her head into all the corners, then she went right to the oats and started eating. I was pleased that she seemed to like the place. I had built in some windows that had the type shutters you could raise up and hold open with braces so the windows were shaded, and it made the old barn nice and airy. I had also put in mosquito nets to help keep out most of the VC, or Vermin Cong. I watched for awhile, then left to fix my own dinner. I left the door to the stable open as I didn't want her to feel shut in. I had a quick bite and was heading back out to the barn, only to find the mare waiting by the door for me. As I came out she neighed and came up and gently nuzzled my shoulder and then blew in my face. I knew horses greet one another that way, so I blew back and that seemed to satisfy her just fine. I put her in the stall for the night, and she let out a big long happy sigh and went right to sleep.
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The kind human put me back in the trailer for another fun ride, but after awhile we left the big noisy places and went into the countryside, and eagerly I sniffed and smelled the scents of fresh grass and woods, of clean places and other horses. I had not been here in so long! And then he unloaded me, and took me into a stable. At first I was a little uneasy as I had spent most of my lonely life in a barn in a barren stall, but this one smelled nice and I could smell fresh hay and other good things. He led me into the stable and before putting me in the stall he removed the lead rope and let me go. He seemed to be waiting for something, so I quickly explored the stable while he watched. It was smaller than my old one, but so much nicer. And then I found the stall, and it was deep with fresh hay, and there was more fresh hay in a crib, and a bag of delicious oats was waiting. Eagerly I entered the lovely stall and started to eat as I was still so very hungry. I was so engrossed I didn't hear the man leave, but when I realized he was gone I almost panicked as I didn't want to be alone again, and I went to search for him. For some reason he had not shut the stable door, and I tracked him to one of the strange stables that humans live in. I could not see him, but I knew he was inside so I waited for him. A short while later he came out, and was surprised, but pleased, to see me. I wasn't sure how he would react, but I neighed in greeting, then I gently nuzzled his shoulder and blew in his face. I was pleased when he blew back, and his scent was nice and sweet. Later he put me back in my stall, and I When I drifted off to sleep I was truly happy and content. For I knew I now had a new master, a kind and gentle one, and I would serve him to the best of my abilities. In the early morning when I woke up I went to find him again, opening the door to the stable by lifting the piece of wood with my teeth.
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The next morning when I got up the mare was waiting for me at the door again, and I have no idea how she got out of the barn. It would turn out she was about the smartest horse I'd ever seen. Then came the problem of what to name her, and I finally settled on the name of one of the old tramp steamers I'd sailed on, the M.V. Brandywine. I asked her if she liked the name, and she threw back her head a little and neighed, so Brandywine it was, or Brandy for short. And I quickly found out she had been saddle & bridle broken at one point. I didn't push her, but after a couple of days of letting her wear the old English saddle and a bitless bridle so she'd get used to them, I finally took a chance and mounted her for the first time. To my surprise she stood perfectly still, and then just turned her head and looked at me with a "Where to?" look. I preferred the English saddle as it was lightweight, not like a western style which is really a working saddle anyway. The English or Plantation saddle is strictly for riding, comfortable for both the rider and even more importantly the horse. I was also very pleased to find out she had no problems with bitless bridle. She was fun to ride, and never tried to dump me by going under a low branch or any nonsense like that. That "mean" horse was a softie! All she'd wanted was someone to take good care of her, and she responded by giving her friendship and loyalty. We went riding every day I didn't have an odd job to do somewhere, and she had the freedom of the barn and the place when I wasn't there. I didn't lock her up as I knew she wouldn't stray far, and she would usually be waiting at the entrance to the barn when I got home, and would run down to the gate to greet me with eager neighs and whinny's. I would come to love Brandy more than anyone else I had even known, and I knew she loved me too as I could see it in her eyes and a horses eyes don't lie.
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He was always glad to see me whenever he found me waiting by the door to his human stable. At first he just let me roam around like I wanted, but I seldom strayed far from his side. He would leave sometimes, so I would wait where I could see the gate until he returned, and would run to greet him and he was always so happy to see me. At first he didn't try to ride me, and I was thankful. But when he finally decided he wanted to at first I was scared as I thought the pain would come back. But to my surprise he did not put the metal thing in my mouth, nor did he wear the barbs on his feet that had hurt so much. The saddle he used was very light and felt comfortable, and the bridle had no metal thing and did not chaff or rub me raw in places. It became one of my most favorite things to have him ride me, and we would both go on marvelous wandering rides and visit the nicest places. And often he would remove the saddle and let me graze or frolic, while he would rest in the shade. And often he would just stand and scratch my ears and mane, and sometimes he would just lean against me and we would both doze. I do not know when it happened, but at some point I realized I loved this kind and gentle human who treated me as his friend, and not his property. I would never leave him.
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Then I had a surprise visit from an old man, and found out how my father had died all those years ago. He just showed up one day at the front gate and honked his horn. I had no idea who he was, but as folks showed up all the time to see if I wanted work it wasn't that unusual for me to get visitors. I waved at him to come on up, and got a couple of cold beers ready as it was a hot day. When he arrived at the house Brandy came over to check him out, and when she didn't show any signs of disapproval I knew he was OK. He as a strange old guy, and as he introduced himself he stared at me intently. He said his name was John Riley, and we shook hands. He was old, but had a grip like iron and I knew he was someone to respect. "You know, he said, you look junk like him!" Who? I asked. "You look just like Mac, your Dad, it's amazing!", he said. I was caught totally by surprise, of all the reasons for a visit I had never expected anything like this! I guess I was kind of rude because I said, What about my Dad? Far as I know I never had one! He seemed shocked and taken aback by my answer, but recovered quickly and said, "I've been looking for you for over forty years to deliver a message from your father, and by God you will listen to me!" I was taken a little aback myself, so I didn't say anything, just waited for him to say what he had to.
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Then he said, My name is John Riley. I was the radio specialist with your Dad's team in Nam. We were 5th Special Forces Group, tough as nails, and your Dad was the best soldier I ever served with. Even the Cong respected us. I served on two tours with him and on our last mission we were on a classified MACV-SOG mission in Laos. Even now I can't tell you why we were there. We were heading for our extraction point when we ran into at least a company of NVA Regulars. They weren't supposed to be in Laos either, but it was that kind of crazy war. They were good, real good, but we fought our way through them and managed to reach the LZ. We set up as best a perimeter as we could and yelled for evac. But the NVA's caught up with us and it was really hairy. We had all been hit by then, and your Dad was the only one still on his feet. He ran from position to position checking on us and laying down fire on the enemy, picking up their grenades and throwing them back more than once. The chopper pilot had brass balls and was coming in to pick us up even though the LZ was hot big time and we'd popped a red flare. By then we were running low on ammo, and Rico and myself had both been hit bad in the legs and couldn't walk. Your Dad made sure all his team was on the chopper, then came back for me. As he put me in the chopper he handed me something, and made me promise to give it to you some day. Then he went back for Rico, but the enemy overran the position before he got there, and he was killed trying to get to him. He saved my life and the lives of every man there, and died trying to save another buddy. Did you know they gave him the DSC for that? He was the bravest soldier I ever knew, and is a legend in the Special Forces even today.
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Look, I said. I appreciate your telling me all that, and I know he was a big war hero and everything, but I'd rather he had just been a plumber or something so I could have had a real father. I don't think he even knew he had a kid, and if he did he didn't seem to give a damn. He looked at me again, and said,
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Mister, if you weren't Macs boy I'd punch you out right now! Mac never stopped talking about you! We used to tell him to shut the fuck up because he just about drove us nuts talking about you all the time! You were his one and only pride and joy! He'd tell us about how this was his last tour, he was getting out so he could be with his family. He had done his twenty, and wanted to retire! How he wanted to buy a big farm or ranch and raise horses! And I've been looking for you for over forty years to give you something, and by God you'll take it! It's the least I could do for the man who saved us all in that jungle hellhole! And he put a small plastic bag in my hands, and got in his car and left while I stood there speechless.
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I was kind of numb when I saddled up Brandy, and we rode to our favorite spot down by the creek. It was a small clearing surrounded by the tallest trees I'd ever seen. There were some nice convenient rocks to sit on and the ground was covered in moss and small flowers in the Spring. It was like walking on a soft carpet, and Brandy loved to roll in the sweet smelling moss. There was a strip of lush grass by the creek, and I would sit and read, or just enjoy the place, for hours. Brandy would graze on the grass, and we spent many companionable hours in that place because it was ours. Sometimes while we were there it would suddenly get a little brighter and warmer for some no reason I could ever explain, and when that happened it always made you feel a little happier too. I took off her saddle of so she could roll if she wanted to, and sat down on my favorite rock.
I took out the plastic bag, and opening it I found the only thing inside was a well worn and sweat stained old beret. It had been green once, but was so worn the nap of the wool was all gone and it had turned an almost brown color. There was flash on it with a skull and crossbones in the center. As I turned it over to look inside of it I saw a small photo and a piece of paper that had been slid under the sweat shield. With a shaking hand I pulled them out. The photo was a small snapshot of my Dad in uniform, holding a five year old boy on his lap, both of us with huge grins on our faces. I sat and looked at the old photo for a long time, reaching out with my finger to gently touch the fading smiling faces in it. I had forgotten what Dad had even looked like. Then I turned it over, and written on the back was "Me and my Buddy, Age 5". I laid it down on the rock next to the old faded beret, and picked up the piece of old sweat stained paper. It was a little blurred, but I could read it. It was a letter, to me from my father. It was short, and it said "Dear Buddy, If you are reading this then I am gone. I have died for what I believe in and to protect you and your mother. Please understand that I didn't want to go, that my only wish was to be with you and your mother. You are the best thing in my life, my own little miracle, and I wanted to be with you more than anything. I will always love you, and will always be with you in spirit. Love, Dad." And I held that old sweat stained beret to my face and cried and cried with great heaving sobs for the father I had never known, and who really had loved me after all, and for whom I could finally grieve after all these years. And Brandy, concerned, came over and put her head on my shoulder and made soft noises, distressed that I was so sad. I reached up and put my arm around her neck as I grieved, and she did her best to console me.
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The entity floated along as it always did, drifting at random on real and unseen winds, no particular destination in mind. Then it sensed great emotion, and as its kind are always drawn to such feelings it drifted slowly into a clearing, and realized it knew this place and had been here before. It was peaceful place of the kind that the entity liked to abide in for awhile, and it had visited this place before more than once. And on some occasions a human and a horse had shared it with the entity, and it would stay for awhile because the two shared a great love for one another, and the entity was attracted to these rare emotions. The horse always knew it was there, but being a creature of nature it did not fear the entity. But this time something was different, and to its own surprise was somewhat concerned to see the human in so much pain, even as his friend tried to comfort him. In spite of its usual way of ignoring lesser beings, it decided to see why the man was grieving so. It had been many long years since it had done such a thing. It softly moved one of its "wings" through the man and saw and felt why he was so distraught, and it could understand such sorrow for it was empathic. And again it surprised itself, and reaching into another realm it found what it sought, and brought it into this world, but only for a short time.
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As I held onto Brandy's neck and cried I suddenly felt a gentle touch in my mind, and looking up in surprise I saw a beautiful glowing light hovering in the clearing, and as I looked up a great wind started to blow and the light began to swirl and twist faster and faster until it was solid pillar of light, and amazingly not a single leaf moved during that great wind. At the last I had to shield my eyes, and when I looked again the light was fading and I could see the figure of a man standing in its center. As it faded completely away I saw the man was big and stocky, and he wore an old worn and faded camouflage uniform. He seemed a little confused, and was looking down at himself, but then he looked up and saw me, and a huge grin split his face and he yelled "Buddy! Is that you!"
At first I sat there shocked beyond belief, tears still running down my face, and then realizing he was real I staggered to my feet and ran to him, and grabbing him a huge hug I held him and cried, but this time in joy. Daddy, Daddy, I sobbed, I missed you so much! Why did you go away! I wanted you so bad! Daddy!!" And he hugged me back and cried too, "Hell, he said, I didn't want to go, but when I had to it was kicking and screaming all the way. You know I didn't want to leave, don't you? I see old John finally found you after all, bless that old reprobates heart". After awhile I stood back to look at him, still holding him tightly never wanting to let go, and he was younger than me, and just like I remembered him! But how, I said, where have you been?? He smiled back at me and replied "I've been in a wonderful place, but I've always been watching you, and been so proud of my boy. But I would have left it if I could in a second. As to how I got here I really don't know for sure, but I think we have a friend." I reached up and gently touched his rugged face, still not able to believe he was real, and said How could you be proud of me? I haven't accomplished much, and hardly have a dollar to my name. He laughed and said "Oh, but you grew up strong and honest, always loyal to your friends, and you have someone who loves you now as much as I do, and that makes you rich beyond anything money can buy. You would be surprised at how rare that is! Yes, I am very proud of my son." And then his smile faded some, and he continued "But I have to go back soon. We have been given a very rare gift, a chance to say goodbye to one another in person, and I have no idea why I was granted such a boon. But know that I will always be watching over you as we are allowed that. And I will always love you." And he pulled me into a tight hug again. And I cried and begged him not to go, but no matter how tightly I held him I could feel him slipping away, back into the bright light, and then he was gone. But as he left I felt a beautiful warm glow fill me, and I wasn't sad any longer. When I closed my eyes I could still feel him hugging me, and said "Goodbye Dad, I'll always love you too. And when I opened my eyes I found Brandy staring at me and I could swear she was smiling.
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I could tell the strange man had upset my friend, but when he saddled me I was happy to go for a ride as I had been looking forward to it all day. We rode to our special place and he took off my saddle, then sat down on his favorite rock. I could tell he was still not feeling good, so I stayed close by. He took out a smelly old thing, and for some reason it made him start to cry. Concerned and anxious I moved over to him and put my head on his shoulder to try and help comfort him. I didn't know why he was hurting, and was very upset. He held me and I let him without complaint, knowing it helped. And then the spirit drifted into the clearing, and I knew it would be alright. The man did not seem to see the spirit, and I had always been confused by that. All animals can see them, and we all welcome their rare visits. We did not know what they were, but they were a part of nature and us, and sometimes they would let us play with them, drifting with us while we ran and played. I had seen this one before in the clearing, though it had never seemed to notice us much. But now it reached out and caressed my friend's heart, and then a wondrous thing happened. The spirit summoned a lesser spirit from beyond this world, and brought it to be with my friend for a short while. And my friend knew this spirit, and I could feel their love for one another. And I watched in wonder as my friend's pain was healed and he was well again, and happy. And because he was happy I was happy too! And as the spirit left it reached out briefly and touched me, and told me somehow that the man loved me as much as I loved him. And that was all I ever wanted.
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The entity drifted away again after what it had done, and was strangely pleased with itself. Both the smaller spirits it had helped had been good ones, and loved one another very much, but had never been able to say it before. Yes, it felt good about what it had done, which was rare for it. And as it left it reached out briefly and touched the horse to comfort it too as it had been so concerned for the human it loved, and it told the horse how much the man loved it. Yes, it had been a good feeling.
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In a happy daze I saddled Brandy and road her back to our place. I bedded her down for the night, and exhausted I collapsed into bed and fell into a deep restful sleep. And by morning I'd pretty much convinced myself it had all been a dream, a beautiful dream, but still a dream. But still I felt closer to my father then I ever had before. And picking up the old beret I put it on, and it fit perfectly. I would wear it every day until the day I died, with great pride. And I dug out an old record I hadn't played in years, and sat back and listened as Barry Sadler sang "The Ballad of the Green Berets", and I was so proud of my father.
As the years passed Brandy and I spent them in happy contentment, riding almost every day and visiting friends and our favorite places, and I had nothing to complain about. I would spend hours a day with her, brushing her lovely coat, combing her long luxurious black hair, and just scratching her itchy spots of which I knew the location of each and every one. And we were both pretty healthy right up towards the end, but that demon old age eventually catches up with everyone, and Brandy and myself were no exceptions.
We reached a point where I was seventy, and she was over thirty, and we were both getting tired and worn out. I hadn't been riding her for awhile as her back hurt her some now, and her hooves would hurt from time to time. The vet came to visit a few times, and she was always in good health for her age. But finally came a time when she wouldn't eat much anymore, and she was going blind. One day I made the hardest decision in my life, and made arrangements for the vet to come in a few days and put her to sleep as I couldn't stand to see her suffer any longer. And while I was in town I paid a visit to my own doctor because I'd been feeling poorly myself, and with genuine sadness he told me I didn't have much longer to live myself, maybe six months, which was fine with me as without my Brandy I didn't want to live much longer anyway.
The last day before the vet came I led her down to our favorite place again, and she perked up a little knowing where we were going. I wouldn't have led her as she would usually just follow me, but she was blind now and I didn't want her to step on anything that might hurt a hoof. I sat down on my favorite rock with a groan, and watched while she explored as best she could, taking a couple bites of the sweet grass she liked so much. Then she came and stood by me, and rested her head on my shoulder like she liked to do. I looked at her clouded eyes and dull coat, and realized she was still the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. And it hit me like a ton of bricks that soon she would be gone and I'd be so lonely until I died myself. And I was more scared then anything that I wouldn't be able to find her again, and so I gently hugged her around the neck like I knew she liked, and cried. I told her how much I loved her, and that she was the best friend I had ever had, was all I had ever wanted, and that I would always try to find her again no matter where we ended up. And she softly whickered and nuzzled me, again concerned because of my own distress, not caring about herself.
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I lifted my head when I heard him enter the barn. For some reason all I could see was a dim blur, but I could smell him and that was enough. I had been feeling bad lately, but always cheered up when he came to see me. He would brush and groom me, and as always I loved it. I would groan in pleasure as he scratched all those itchy spots I couldn't reach. He had not ridden me in quite some time, but I wouldn't have minded even if it did hurt some, and long as it made him happy. But he still led me to visit our favorite special places, and I always looked forward to that. Today he took us to our most favorite, and we dozed in the warm shade. I tried a few mouthfuls of the sweet grass that always grew there, but even it didn't taste good anymore. Finally I went and stood by him, his presence and gentle hands as he held me helping to ease the pain and discomfort. As long as I was with him that was all that mattered, and his distress upset me and I tried to comfort him as best I could. I knew I would have to leave him soon, and I so didn't want to go. I knew that no matter where I went I could never be happy without this kind man I loved so very much.
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The entity floated along as it always did, drifting at random on real and unseen winds, no particular destination in mind. Then again it sensed great emotion, love and worry, compassion and great fear. It realized with some surprise that it had found its way back to that special place also frequented by the man and his horse. It remembered it had done a pleasing thing to help ease the man's grief, and remembered the good feeling that had given, so it drifted a little closer. This time it was saddened to see that both the man and the horse were old, and both very ill. It knew they would die soon, as do all the short lived mortal creatures. And again it realized their great love for one another and their mutual terror that they would be separated. It also realized with something of a start that they were true soul mates, though that was very rare to see in different species. But there was no mistaking that bond, the strongest in the world. And it knew they would be separated by death, possibly to never find one another again as their souls wandered until being reborn. Soul mates searched for one another for eternity, but only rarely finding one another in the various lives they lived. And again the entity was moved by their great love, and again it decided to intervene in a way it had only done once before. Reaching down it took them in to its embrace.
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I was still holding Brandy when a great wind suddenly sprang up, and I did my best to keep on holding on to her. I heard her call out in fear, and flailing wildly at the powerful wind I tried to reach her, "BRANDY, I screamed!" And a great white light blinded me, and I felt a great gentle presence, and slipped into oblivion.
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Brandy looked up in alarm when a great wind began to blow, and squealed in pain and terror when she felt her friend torn from her. She tried to reach him, neighing and shrilling her distress. But then she felt a great gentle presence, and the pain and fear faded away.
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The man and horse both rose slowly into the air, borne by a great wind that did not disturb a single leaf. As they floated in the air a great light grew around them until they could no longer be seen. For some time the bright light and wind filled the clearing, then slowly began to dissipate, and as the light faded and the wind died two figures were gently lowered back to the ground.
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Brandy was the first to awaken after the light had faded and was gone. She was confused and dazed, but not really scared. She felt different, and could see again! With a squeal of excitement she stood up, and with a whinny of pleasure she bucked and reared, and there was no more pain! She felt so good again! Then suddenly she remembered her friend, and with a squeal of concern she looked for him. What she found at first puzzled her and she didn't know what to think. There was another horse in the clearing now, and she couldn't see her friend anywhere! She walked up to the horse lying on the ground, and saw it was a young stallion, a beautiful gray color. And there was something familiar about him. She reached down and gently nuzzled his muzzle, blowing into his face and making an inquiring whicker. He gave a sudden start and opened his eyes, and they were blue! And then she realized with wonder, but not any great surprise, that it was her old friend! The new horse had the same eyes! And wasn't that strange, but so very nice! And she could tell he recognized her too, and he blew back in her face! She watched as he got unsteadily to his feet, all wobbly like a newborn foal, and stared around in confusion and growing wonder of his own.
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I woke up with a start, something was licking my face! Brandy? I thought, but this horse was so young! And I felt so strange, but it was a good strange feeling. Then the young horse blew in my face, and before I realized it I blew back, and it WAS Brandy. I knew her scent, but it had never smelled this strong before! But how? With a snort I tried to stand up and flopped back down again. I lifted my head and stared at myself in growing confusion and disbelief, then wonder. On my God, I thought, I'm a horse! I managed to stagger to my feet, and found it a little weird to have four legs now, but the awkward feeling was already fading, and soon I was steady. What in the hell happened? But I quickly realized I didn't really care. And it felt so good, so right! With squeals of my own I joined Brandy as she pranced around the clearing rearing and whinnying in delight, my own delighted whinny's joining with hers! Finally she took off down the path to the meadow and I followed at her heels, our neighs of pleasure echoing among the trees.
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The entity watched as the two now young souls left the clearing to start their new lives together, and again it was pleased with what it had done. And it was so rare to see soul mates find one another. As a last gift it also made "arrangements" that they would never be separated again. They would be reborn again and again together into new lives and forms over eternity. And from time to time the entity would check on its friends, and was always happy to bask in the warm glow of their amazing love for one another.
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And my good friend and neighbor found us in the pasture a few days later. He had no idea how the two horses, a stallion and mare, both two year olds, had gotten onto his property. He was also amazed to see that both had identical six pointed white blazes on their foreheads, though the mare was brown and the stallion gray. He tried to find their owners, but with no tattoos or other markings he eventually gave up , and adopted them himself. And he kept them together as he could see their attachment to one another, and something told him that to break them up would be a big mistake. And he quickly came to love the pair, they were so smart and loved to be around him and his family.
And another mystery was what happened to his old neighbor and his old horse, both had disappeared without a trace. They had been well liked, and searchers combed the woods for many days, but finally gave up. He could only hope that wherever they had ended up they found peace. He knew the old man had loved that old horse more than anything. And he was surprised, and touched, when the old man left him everything in his will.
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When our friend found us a few days later I no longer worried or wondered how I had become a horse, the only thing that mattered was that Brandy was there. And finally we could communicate on a more intimate level. And it didn't bother her in the least that I was a horse now too, and we were both young! It delighted her, and myself, beyond measure. I remembered the great light and soothing presence, and realized that had something to do with it. And later when I saw that spirit again through the eyes of a horse I think I understood better, it came to visit us on rare occasions, and I always sensed its pleasure at our happiness.
I would always remember I had once been human, but I was more than content to be a horse now, and it was a much better life. We had a good friend who took care of us and saw to our every need, and we loved him and his family for that. We did our best to please him, and I found I loved to take him or his children, and later grandchildren, for long rides. We even took them to our secret special place once, without their knowing, and it quickly became a favorite of theirs as well. They would take our saddles off, and Brandy and I would roll in the sweet smelling moss, and graze on the delicious grass that grew by the stream. I never tried to tell them who I was and what had happened, even when I saw how concerned he was when Brandy and I "disappeared". How could I tell him anyway? I couldn't talk, or write, or communicate other then with equine sounds. Plus I doubt he could ever believe such a story, so I was content just to be a friend to him and his family. That is all a horse wants anyway, and I was no exception.
But most of all I was overjoyed to be with Brandy, and we became lovers in both the ways of humans and horses. She bore me many fine fillies and colts and I sired many more with other mares. She did not begrudge me this natural need in my new form and was instead glad to share me with other lucky mares. And we grew old together again. Both of us were well into our forties when we died. We peacefully went to sleep for the final time within a few hours of one another in the same stall, while our human friends tended to us and grieved.
And for whatever reason we were born into many new forms over the years, sometimes human sometimes animal, but always together and we always knew one another as our memories remained intact. And many more times we would see our guardian watching over us, and sense its own happiness at ours.
Yes, Sometimes the Gods can be Kind to an old man and horse who loved one another.
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