Summary

A pastor's horse, speaking miraculously, yearns to read "All the Pretty Horses" and live a cowboy's life, prompting the pastor to reflect on his and his flock's disconnection from their roots and identities.

Abstract

In a narrative titled "Two Headed Horse Tails," a pastor's horse unexpectedly speaks, expressing a desire to read the novel "All the Pretty Horses" and experience the life of a cowboy on a Texas ranch. This miraculous event causes the pastor to ponder the deeper meaning behind the horse's wish, realizing that both he and his congregation have lost touch with their heritage and purpose. The horse's longing for a life of freedom and connection to its biological roots serves as a metaphor for the pastor's community, who have become restless with their own limited existence. The story, co-written by Fox and Smillew, is the 21st in a series of collaborative tales and invites readers to engage in a creative exercise called "the Two Headed Horse Tails," where two writers alternately contribute 50 words each to reach a 300-word story.

Opinions

The horse's desire to read "All the Pretty Horses" reflects a longing for a life that aligns with its innate nature, suggesting a critique of modern life's disconnection from natural roots.
The pastor interprets the talking horse as a divine message, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's origins and living authentically.
The narrative implies that animals, when given a voice, can offer profound insights into human existence and societal norms.
The collaborative writing exercise proposed by the authors, "the Two Headed Horse Tails," encourages creativity and the blending of different perspectives to create a cohesive story.
The pastor's realization and the horse's yearning serve as a commentary on the universal human search for meaning and belonging in a rapidly changing world.

Two headed horse tails

Morning Rides

Bridled Wisdom

The pastor had one horse. It was his way of blowing off steam and living in another era.

He fed it carrots, apples, hay. Then they’d ride the misty morning edges of his parish.

He’d read miraculous things before, but wasn’t ready for the day his own beast spoke up.

“I would like to read All the Pretty Horses. All the other horses at the stable read it.”

“Old Cormac’s book?”

“Yes. I always wanted to live on a Texas ranch, you know? Never-ending fields. Galloping with a cowboy on my back. That must be something. No offense, Pastor.”

Before the Minister conversed any further he stopped himself — he wasn’t even sure how he’d given the quick reply the first go.

Beasts only spoke if angels loosed their lips, and what they spoke was paramount.

Why Pretty Horses? Why the cowboy comparison?

The horse replied: “It’s not rocket science.”

Short neighs sprinkled along the sentences gave a hypnotic rhythm to the beast’s explanation.

“I need to explore my roots. My environment may have changed, but my biology is still the same. And it calls for free galloping in gigantic landscapes. I want to feel the weight of my mortality.”

And then it hit him. The speech-struck animal had been given as a mirror to his own self and flock. No longer were they sure from where they came, Whose they were. Now they sought pretty things and pretty places, and chaffed against their own limitated lives.

He knelt.

Part of him wished the horse would transform into an angel, but he understood this was exactly the lesson.

Standing up, he reached for the loose reins.

A soothing hand on the muzzle, the pastor reposed his head on the steed’s neck, and, listening to the strong heartbeat, he prayed.

This story was co-written by Fox (the artist) and Smillew (top writer in satire).

It was our 21st tale! Here are the previous ones:

We call the concept the Two Headed Horse Tails.

As Fox (poet and digital art expert) describes it, Two Headed Horse Tails can be a tug of war. Two people (one of them could be YOU) are trying to get a tale into the corral, sometimes even against each other’s will.

Here are the rules (follow them or break them):

300 words total.
Someone starts and writes 50 words. Then the other takes the lead and writes 50 more. Till the 300 count is reached.
You can switch back and forth as to who starts the piece. (or not! We do.)

What about finding yourself another horse writer and giving it a try?

Follows us on Twitter, we follow back! Except for Fox, he’s not on Twitter.

Anyone read so far? Hi! [Paul’s note — no, I’m the only one that has to read this far.][Smillew’s note — so it seems.][Paul’s note — keep your chin up. Then left hook lands better that way.][Smillew’s note — I tried with my cat, didn’t work.][Paul’s note — never fight a cat. They’ll skin you alive]

Tell us a tiny tale, filled with heart.

Updated Submission Guidelines

As we grow, our mandate grows with us

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