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Horses of Valor, by Peggy Gerber

26/3/2022

 
Doug sat frozen to his seat as he listened to the poet describe how over a million horses and mules were killed or maimed during the American Civil War. A life long animal lover, he felt the bile rise in his throat as he pictured those majestic creatures lying in the mud, wounded and in pain after being shot. The fact that they had been called into action by humans, for human causes made him sick to his stomach.

As soon as the poetry reading was over, Doug jumped in his car and raced straight home to do research. His heart sank deeper and deeper as he learned it was not just the civil war, and not only America that used and abused horses. Millions died during World War I and World War II, transporting ammunition and doing the kind of jobs considered too dangerous for humans.

Doug slammed his computer shut and started frantically pacing the floor. His thoughts raced as he began devising a plan to honor the beautiful creatures that gave their lives for his freedom, and to help animals still suffering today. When he discovered April 26th was National Help a Horse Day he set a goal to make a difference in the lives of horses by that date.

As an author, Doug understood the power of words, and sat down to write the story, “Horses of Valor.” He quickly submitted it to his favorite publication. He then tweeted it, posted it to Instagram and Facebook and started a GoFundMe page for the ‘Horses of the World Sanctuary.’

By the next morning, Doug’s posts had gone viral and money was pouring in from all over the world. Doug had to keep raising his targeted goal higher and higher and pinched himself to make sure it was real.

For the next few days, Doug checked the GoFundMe page obsessively, and it was at his weekly football game that he discovered he had amassed over two million dollars for the sanctuary. He pumped his fist into the air and yelled out, “Yes!”

Later that night, Doug’s friends took him out to the pub for a celebratory drink. As they made a toast to two million dollars, a lump formed in Doug’s throat. He closed his eyes and clinked his glass in victory and gratitude that his faith in humanity had been restored.
​
Krystyna
26/3/2022 03:55:39 pm

Heartwarming story, Peggy. For the love of horses, humanity pulled through.

Jessalyn
26/3/2022 06:08:44 pm

Such a bittersweet ending!

Marie Johnson-Ladson
26/3/2022 07:28:43 pm

What a great tribute and contribution to horses. Great story, Peggy!

Sue Clayton
27/3/2022 06:29:17 am

A valorous effort on behalf of horses past and present.

Peggy Gerber
27/3/2022 12:42:02 pm

Thank you so much for the thoughtful comments.

John E Morgan
27/3/2022 10:39:08 pm

Public awareness, very nice . . .


Comments are closed.

    Longer
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    Longer Friday Flash Fiction Stories

    Friday Flash Fiction is primarily a site for stories of 100 words or fewer, and our authors are expected to take on that challenge if they possibly can. Most stories of under 150 words can be trimmed and we do not accept submissions of 101-150 words.


    However, in response to demand, the FFF team constructed this forum for significantly longer stories of 151-500 words. Please send submissions for these using the Submissions Page.

    Stories to the 500 word thread will be posted as soon as we can mange.

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    One little further note. Posting and publishing 500-word stories takes a little time if they need to be formatted, too.
    ​Please note that we tend to post longer flash fiction exactly as we find it – wrong spacing, everything.

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