Alexander and Bucephalus
Every country has had great leaders. The United States had George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Roosevelt, heroes by way of deeds. Greece had Aristotle, Socrates, and Alexander. Alexander the Great was the son of Philip, king of Macedonia.
One autumn day, when Alexander was a young boy, a horse dealer offered to sell to Philip, at the low price of only twenty dinars, a horse. Philip asked his horse trainers to break in the horse so as he could decide if he wanted to buy the horse, but after many attempts; the men weren’t able stay on the big black stallion. Philip ordered the horse to be led away since he would be of no use.
Young Alexander, who was standing nearby, had been an interested observer of the many attempts that were made to subdue the horse.
“That is an excellent horse but they don’t know how to manage him,” he said.
When he kept repeating what a great horse it was his dad finally said, “Do you think you can manage the horse better than any of my men?”
“Yes, I’m certain I can.”
“And if you do not, what price will you pay me?”
“I will pay the price of the horse.”
The people standing around listening to the twelve year old talking to his dad burst into subdued laughter at the boy’s remark. They all looked forward to more amusement.
Alexander had noticed the problem... The horse seemed to be afraid of its shadow. When the bets were all settled between his dad and other betters, Alexander walked into the coral and taking hold of the bridal reins turned the black Arabian stallion to face the sun. The shadow moved behind them. For a time he patted and talked to the horse while the King’s and his entourage looked on. The horse gradually calmed down under Alexander’s voice, and touch. Within ten minutes Alexander raised his hand for the gate to be opened. He leaped upon the stallion. He stuck low to the horse as it raced through the arena gate out into the Babylonian country-side.
With the reins hanging loose, the horse ran free for more than 500 furlongs. Then Alexander turned back, out of sight of the King, and his subjects. Atop of the stallion at a slow parade walk, just as any conquering king would do. Everyone cheered, Philip, with tears of joy, kissed his son.
“Macedonia will never be big enough for you and your horse, “he declared. “After I’m gone you will seek out a kingdom worthy of you.”
And so it was.
Alexander named the horse Bucephalus meaning “Father I Go.” The two of them subsequently went forth in the same year his father was murdered; he was nine-teen years old. With the “Kings Home Corps,” he made his first destination Persia. The Persia king had an 800,000 army against Alexander’s 50,000. Alexander led his Army brilliantly by being in the front lines, speed, attack and divide, the sun in the enemy’s face. The king of Persia fled back to Damascus and soon went insane over the loss of his men.
Alexander went on conquering, fifty-two major battles. Winning all fifty-two. Eventually he conquered India, thought to be the end of world. Bucephalus and Alex had saved each other’s lives many times. No human in all history, before or since, has conquered as vast empire. But shortly after the two of them reached Southern India, Alpha died. Alexander honored his Black Stallion by naming Providence in Northern Persia, Wallace, oops I mean Bucephalus.
THE END
KARL WALLACE
To read more Karl Wallace stories go to: karlwallaceblog.blogspot.com
Every country has had great leaders. The United States had George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Roosevelt, heroes by way of deeds. Greece had Aristotle, Socrates, and Alexander. Alexander the Great was the son of Philip, king of Macedonia.
One autumn day, when Alexander was a young boy, a horse dealer offered to sell to Philip, at the low price of only twenty dinars, a horse. Philip asked his horse trainers to break in the horse so as he could decide if he wanted to buy the horse, but after many attempts; the men weren’t able stay on the big black stallion. Philip ordered the horse to be led away since he would be of no use.
Young Alexander, who was standing nearby, had been an interested observer of the many attempts that were made to subdue the horse.
“That is an excellent horse but they don’t know how to manage him,” he said.
When he kept repeating what a great horse it was his dad finally said, “Do you think you can manage the horse better than any of my men?”
“Yes, I’m certain I can.”
“And if you do not, what price will you pay me?”
“I will pay the price of the horse.”
The people standing around listening to the twelve year old talking to his dad burst into subdued laughter at the boy’s remark. They all looked forward to more amusement.
Alexander had noticed the problem... The horse seemed to be afraid of its shadow. When the bets were all settled between his dad and other betters, Alexander walked into the coral and taking hold of the bridal reins turned the black Arabian stallion to face the sun. The shadow moved behind them. For a time he patted and talked to the horse while the King’s and his entourage looked on. The horse gradually calmed down under Alexander’s voice, and touch. Within ten minutes Alexander raised his hand for the gate to be opened. He leaped upon the stallion. He stuck low to the horse as it raced through the arena gate out into the Babylonian country-side.
With the reins hanging loose, the horse ran free for more than 500 furlongs. Then Alexander turned back, out of sight of the King, and his subjects. Atop of the stallion at a slow parade walk, just as any conquering king would do. Everyone cheered, Philip, with tears of joy, kissed his son.
“Macedonia will never be big enough for you and your horse, “he declared. “After I’m gone you will seek out a kingdom worthy of you.”
And so it was.
Alexander named the horse Bucephalus meaning “Father I Go.” The two of them subsequently went forth in the same year his father was murdered; he was nine-teen years old. With the “Kings Home Corps,” he made his first destination Persia. The Persia king had an 800,000 army against Alexander’s 50,000. Alexander led his Army brilliantly by being in the front lines, speed, attack and divide, the sun in the enemy’s face. The king of Persia fled back to Damascus and soon went insane over the loss of his men.
Alexander went on conquering, fifty-two major battles. Winning all fifty-two. Eventually he conquered India, thought to be the end of world. Bucephalus and Alex had saved each other’s lives many times. No human in all history, before or since, has conquered as vast empire. But shortly after the two of them reached Southern India, Alpha died. Alexander honored his Black Stallion by naming Providence in Northern Persia, Wallace, oops I mean Bucephalus.
THE END
KARL WALLACE
To read more Karl Wallace stories go to: karlwallaceblog.blogspot.com
