The Horse Who Waited Last — Every morning, Garrick stood beneath the old gate and counted the herald’s steps: clack, clack, clack across the cool stones. Read the full story →
Every morning, Garrick stood beneath the old gate and counted the herald’s steps: clack, clack, clack across the cool stones. He wanted the first sugar plum from the silver tray, so he kept his nose very dignified and did not drool on his lion badge.
Until one day, a jackdaw dropped from the arch with a rusty laugh and snatched the herald’s bell cord. Because of that, the tray stopped outside the gate. Because of that, every knight horse shoved forward, jingling buckles and snorting cinnamon breath. Garrick stayed still. The jackdaw hopped closer, puzzled by such a patient statue, and tugged the cord over Garrick’s bridle.
“Kindly ring yourself,” Garrick whispered. The bell jangled, the herald laughed, and the jackdaw fled with only a feather tickling his ear. At last, the tray reached Garrick first. If you spot his proud nose under the arch, you’ll know he is still counting: clack, clack, clack.
