Chapter 36: The Sunday Cab begins with a polite but firm refusal. When Mr. Briggs asks Jerry to drive him to church on Sundays, Jerry declines, explaining that his license limits him to six days of work each week. But the reason goes beyond regulation. Years of working nonstop wore Jerry down physically and spiritually, and the same held true for his horses. After making the switch to a six-day license, he gained back not just energy, but dignity. Sundays became sacred—not only for worship but also for rest, family time, and caring for Black Beauty. He knew the cost in earnings, yet he felt richer for the peace it brought. While others might view rest as idleness, Jerry sees it as protection—for his health, his relationships, and his animals. That conviction gives his work meaning and his days structure.

Not everyone agrees. Some cabmen mock his decision, thinking it foolish to let a wealthy client slip away over a single day’s work. But Jerry holds his ground. He remembers too well the toll that endless labor took on his body, his marriage, and the wellbeing of his horses. Polly supports him wholeheartedly, recalling how she once barely saw her husband when every day was filled with urgent trips and exhausted nights. Their children, now happier and healthier, are another reason to guard that day of rest. To Jerry and Polly, money is important, but not at the cost of family. In a world that constantly demands more, saying no becomes an act of self-respect. They take pride in doing their job well—just not at the price of losing themselves in it. Their neighbors may not understand, but their home is more peaceful now, and their principles remain firm.

Jerry’s conversation with Truman, a fellow cabman, offers a moment of mutual understanding. Truman, though not as vocal, admits that Jerry’s reasoning makes sense. He, too, has felt the exhaustion creep into his bones and has begun to wonder if rest might be worth more than an extra fare. Their quiet dialogue shows that change often begins in moments of reflection, not confrontation. Jerry doesn’t preach—he lives the example. And slowly, those around him begin to notice the difference. Black Beauty, too, benefits from this rhythm. Unlike other cab horses who never catch a break, he gets one day each week to breathe, recover, and regain strength. It’s a small kindness that speaks volumes about Jerry’s character.

Financial consequences do follow. Mrs. Briggs, displeased by Jerry’s refusal to drive on Sundays, withdraws her business. But Jerry accepts this loss with calm. He believes that the customers who value honesty and reliability will return. More importantly, he refuses to compromise for convenience. Polly reminds him how empty their lives felt before they carved out space for rest and purpose. That memory anchors them, even when income becomes uncertain. Their commitment doesn’t come from stubbornness—it’s grounded in a clear understanding of what matters most. Jerry knows that true well-being isn’t measured by the money in hand but by the health of body, mind, and soul. His horses are less strained, his children more cheerful, and his home filled with a quiet joy.

This chapter stands as a meditation on integrity in a world often driven by urgency and profit. Jerry and Polly resist a lifestyle that demands constant output, choosing instead a rhythm that includes pause and reflection. Their choice challenges a culture where rest is undervalued, reminding readers that limits are not signs of weakness, but of wisdom. The well-being of horses like Black Beauty mirrors the well-being of their humans; both thrive when given time to recover. Rest is not laziness—it is care. And care, in all its forms, builds strength that lasts longer than any wage. This story, through Jerry’s quiet resolve, teaches that saying no is sometimes the most generous act one can offer to oneself, to family, and to the animals who trust us every day.