203 Results in the "Children’s Fiction" category


    • Chapter 6: Liberty Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 6: Liberty introduces a quiet longing within Black Beauty as he reflects on the limitations of his current life. Although his stable is clean, his food nourishing, and his handlers kind, he cannot help but yearn for the open pastures of his youth. The feeling of wind rushing past as he galloped freely, untethered and unburdened, remains vivid in his memory. Now, despite comfort, he feels constrained by straps, blinkers, and routines that restrict the joyful spontaneity of movement he once took for…
    • Chapter 5: A Fair Start Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 5: A Fair Start begins with Black Beauty settling into his new home under the care of John Manly, a dedicated coachman who resides near the stables with his family. On the morning following Beauty’s arrival, John meticulously grooms him, ensuring every inch of his coat is polished, which earns the approval of Squire Gordon. To evaluate Beauty’s temperament and ability, the Squire instructs John to take him for a ride across the estate. With deliberate care, John fits Beauty with tack that…
    • Chapter 49: My Last Home Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 49: My Last Home begins with a shift in atmosphere for Black Beauty as he senses a change is coming. He is groomed carefully on a warm summer day, his coat shining under the sunlight, which usually signals something important. When Willie and his groom accompany him to a new location, he arrives at a pleasant-looking home surrounded by greenery and charm. There, he meets Miss Blomefield, Miss Ellen, and another lady who approach with both interest and skepticism. They observe him closely, paying…
    • Chapter 48: Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 48: Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie begins with Black Beauty standing tired and unnoticed at a bustling horse fair, surrounded by others who, like him, have seen better days. His coat is dull, his legs ache, and his spirit has dimmed after a long stretch of hard labor and neglect. Buyers pass him by without a second look, some poking him indifferently, others dismissing him for his age and condition. Yet among the crowd, one man and a boy pause. Farmer Thoroughgood, a weathered yet kind…
    • Chapter 47: Hard Times Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 47: Hard Times begins with Black Beauty caught in one of the most punishing phases of his life, working under Nicholas Skinner, a man whose every decision revolves around profit. His physical description alone—cold black eyes and a sharp nose—mirrors his strict and joyless nature. For Skinner, horses are tools to be drained of energy, then discarded once they can no longer turn a profit. Beauty’s daily routine is marked by relentless trips, barely any rest, and a complete absence of…
    • Chapter 46: Jakes and the Lady Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 46: Jakes and the Lady places Black Beauty in yet another challenging chapter of his working life. Now under the service of a corn dealer and baker, he finds the nature of his work heavier than before. Though the owner ensures the horses are fed and stabled properly, his frequent absences leave the horses in the care of a foreman with little regard for their welfare. This man loads the wagons beyond reasonable capacity, showing more concern for profits than the horses’ wellbeing. Black Beauty is…
    • Chapter 45: Jerry’s New Year Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 45: Jerry's New Year opens with a scene marked by both hardship and resilience, set against the backdrop of a city celebrating the holidays. For Jerry, a kind-hearted cabman, and his faithful horse, the season is not about rest or festivity but about staying upright in freezing sleet and snow. Long hours are spent waiting outside grand homes where warm lights glow inside, while the streets remain cruelly cold and still. Jerry does not complain, nor does he mistreat his horse, even as the hours…
    • Chapter 44: Old Captain and His Successor Cover
      by LovelyMay ChatGPT said: Chapter 44: Old Captain and His Successor begins with a moment that leaves a lasting scar on Jerry’s life and deeply affects everyone connected to the cab service. Captain, a strong and loyal horse who has served faithfully, meets his end not through old age but due to human recklessness. As Jerry and the horses make their way home, a drayman under the influence crashes a large beer cart into their cab. The impact is brutal—Captain collapses in agony, with injuries too severe for…
    • Chapter 43: A Friend in Need Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 43: A Friend in Need opens with London pulsing with energy on a noisy, crowded election day. From the break of dawn, Jerry and Beauty are in constant motion, navigating packed streets and hectic crowds. Their first passenger is a heavyset man who needs to reach Bishopsgate Station in haste. After that, they’re flagged down by a group headed to Regent’s Park, followed by others with urgent appointments. Political excitement colors the city—banners wave, chants ring through the air, and the…
    • Chapter 42: The Election Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 42: The Election opens with a quiet tension as Jerry Barker finds himself caught between financial opportunity and moral clarity. Political campaigns sweep through the town with loud processions and busy canvassers eager to rent every available cab. Jerry, though offered good money, firmly refuses to participate. The idea of transporting drunken voters for political gain unsettles him. More than discomfort, it's about dignity—both for himself and for the horses he relies on. He believes no amount…
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