Bedtime tale

As the sun started to set, the men and women working on a wheat field hurried their children inside the homes, the village they lived in was right at the side of the Hedge Wizard Wood. In one specific housing, a traditional „tale for good night’s sleep“ was being told by one old woman for all the girls and boys.

„Hello, grandma, what tale will you tell the children today?“ says one of the men who returned with his child from work outside.

„Ah, it is a legend of old, from times long passed. About a magical horse.“ „Magical horse!“ the kids proclaim in awe.

„Well then,“ grandma continues, „sit here with me around the fire everyone. Very well. This tale starts in this very village. One of the residents used to work in the nearby forest every day. For as long as I can remember, he left with the sunrise and returned just before the sunset.

One day, he encountered some poachers, as it is a very populated forest. There were always rabbits, deer or wild boars running around, the forest is their home. Of course our friend wouldn’t let them just hunt the animals. He followed them around, disarming all traps they set up. What he didn’t know was that they were there once or twice already and managed to secure traps for bigger animals. As they approached a small clearing in the forest, there was a sound of a hurt animal.“

„Was it a deer?“ one child asks.

„No, it wasn’t. It was a talking horse. The villager didn’t know it was talking though, not yet. It was after he managed to scare away those poachers and help the hurt animal get out of the trap. The horse thanked him for the rescue and offered something in exchange for his life. „You can talk?! What the… Oh, and don’t worry about it,“ the villager said, „I didn’t help you to only for some reward.“ The horse didn’t look surprised at all. „Oh well, okay then. Goodbye.“ The horse starts to lift up from the ground to walk away but his injury disables that. „Oof, I didn’t think it would be this bad, heh,“ the horse laughs. Villager, surprised by the horse‘s ability to actually laugh and talk, offers that he can take care of the horse until he is well enough to leave. „And I will make sure you have no troubles for the rest of your life, even if you don’t want any rewards,“ the horse responded settling on a compromise,“ grandma stopped for a moment, looked over the children sitting near the fireplace anxiously waiting for her to continue and so she talked again, finishing the story.

„The villager asked for the horse's name, if it even had one. If he is to take care of the horse, it would be wise to know its name. „Well of course, my name is Oread. Some also call me the Mirthful, but for you it’s Oread,“ said the horse with dark mane and tail, the rune on his back glistening. „Sorry to ask, but why do they call you mirthful?“ „Some of the wizards I know think I’m funny if I had to guess, no idea really,“ the horse responds seriously.

And so the villager called for help to transport the hurt horse, who, according to him, could talk. The other villagers didn’t hear the horse utter a single word, only sounds any horse would make. After Oread healed, he still lingered around the village, helping the man with anything he asked. Other people always heard the man laugh and talk, but no response ever came. Some even thought he has gone mad after this incident, that the poachers did something to him. But nonetheless the man and the talking horse remained acquaintances, maybe even friends at some point.

That’s the end of the tale of a magical horse who could talk and made a friend. Now it’s time to sleep. But do come next time, I have a tale prepared already,“ grandma smiled and waved goodbye to all the children and their parents who came to listen as they left her house.

„That was a good story,“ a voice through a window says. „You could have said the whole truth, though.“

„No, I couldn’t. They would be all over you in an instant,“ grandma chuckles. „I think some of them may try talking to you anyway.“

„What is the story for tomorrow? Will you tell them about Pony #149?“ The voice asks.

„Yes, Oread. I think I will.“

Tale by: Tins

Entered by: 0x7bb4…0799 and preserved on chain (see transaction)