Humble and Handsome



"Rearing up his powerful
body, he pierced the clouds
with his sharp horn."
~ The Unicorn and the Lake

When Ransom and I reached the high point of the ridge on our trail ride, the gray clouds hung so low it seemed as though I could reach up and touch them. It reminded me of one of my favorite children’s books, in which the unicorn climbs the mountain and pierces the clouds with his horn to bring rain to the drought-stricken land below. I, however, prayed that the rain would hold off until we were safely back at the barn.

Ransom stood gazing at the next hill over, listening to the wind rustle the grass in waterless waves. What looked from a distance like a vulture, turned out to be a squirrel perched atop a broken log. I sat and wondered at how amazing it is that Ransom allows me to strap a band tightly around his belly and sit on his back. How he submits and allows me to tell him what to do, especially when it’s something like carrying me up a steep hill. How he ignores his herd instinct to venture out alone with me, and then stands contentedly.

When we returned home, I was thankful for dry skies and for my humble, handsome Ransom.