Black Bedside lamp.2: English Learning Reader

Author: Li Zhengshuan et al. (Editor-in-Chief)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: This book tells the story of a horse that finally enjoys a peaceful old age after enduring unfair treatment from humans. Black was born into a kind farmer's family. It had purebred blood, a glossy black coat, but a star-shaped white patch on its right hoof and forehead. After undergoing rigorous but not cruel training, it was sold to a squire. There, it demonstrated all its noble qualities: loyalty, bravery, and intelligence, even saving the master's life. That was the happiest period in its life: it received meticulous care from its master and made many friends. However, good times didn’t last long. Black soon faced hardships. It was sold to Elsie, where the cruel mistress insisted on putting tight reins on the horse to make it look imposing. Its friend Golden couldn’t endure the torment and rebelled, only to receive even harsher punishment. Black merely suffered in silence, believing things would improve. But things weren’t that simple. Due to the stupidity of a foolish groom, Black injured its knee, affecting its appearance, and was sold again. Later, it finally met a kind carriage driver, spending a hard but joyful time. After the carriage driver changed careers, he sold Black to a corn merchant, who always overworked it beyond its physical capacity. After being sold again to another carriage driver, Black’s life was unbearable. Its master was extremely cruel, whipping it with a whip equipped with metal scabbards, and once nearly exhausting it to death halfway. No matter the circumstances, Black endured silently until it finally met its young groom in its later years, ending its hard life and enjoying happiness. It was due to its resilience that it survived and told this story, sharing with people through its firsthand experience what loyalty and kindness truly are.