Our story, called “The Scars of a Friend”, tells what happens when ‘the broken’ are accepted rather than cast aside and forgotten. In our last post , confronted by the townspeople regardng Wind-Rider’s condition, Azhar promised to personally care for the horse.

Azhar grabbed the old leather bridle and gently led the animal through the crowd. He slowly trudged up the hill, carefully guiding the gaunt stallion, and he recalled that night, so long ago, when Wind-Rider had fought off the bandits. The long-hidden memory of his panic surfaced, and he remembered how he shook with fear as Wind-Rider courageously rode through the darkness.

Azhar brought Wind-Rider into his old stall and wrapped the horse in a blanket. He called for the stable master. “Show me how to make a warm mash. My horse is starving.” He listened closely to the instructions, mixed the food, and held the bucket for the hungry horse.

That night Azhar slept in the stall with his horse. The next day, he spent hours brushing Wind-Rider’s dull coat and combing the burrs and snarls from his tangled mane and tail.

Azhar worked side by side with the stable master and learned how to care for his horse. He rubbed liniment into Wind-Rider’s aching joints, cleaned the animal’s damaged hooves, and spoon-fed him a special tonic that he made himself.

Each and every day, he came to the stable and tended to Wind-Rider’s needs. Working in the stable gave Azhar a great deal of satisfaction, and he was proud of his newly developed skills and abilities. Azhar found that he looked forward to spending time with Wind-Rider, and he rummaged through the kitchen to find special treats for the animal, bringing him carrots, apples, and lumps of brown sugar. Slowly, under Azhar’s tender care, Wind-Rider’s strength returned.

 Next time: “The Sign of the Scar”