Bucky Builds A Nest | A Story About A Retired Show Horse

By: Laura and Angela Cardarelli

Howdy, my name is Angela. I would like to share a story with you about a retired show horse named Bucky. When Bucky could no longer participate in horse shows, he discovered a special way to feel useful.

Mother told me that Bucky looked spectacular in his prime seasons. She described Bucky as a tall, muscular buckskin mount with a glistening coat and shiny hooves. He had a thick black mane and a flowing, black tail. Bucky’s large bright eyes revealed his pleasant personality. Mother recalled that Bucky was respected by his pasture mates, pampered by his owner, and received countless apples from kind children. Bucky had been a willing jumper. He gracefully leaped, and he always landed gently to ensure the safety of his young riders. For many seasons, Bucky was a successful show horse. His stable was filled with blue ribbons, trophies, and photographs of the happy children he once carried.

Although Bucky cherished his memories of show days, he had grown lonely and sad. He was the last horse to live on the horse farm. Bucky’s elderly owner could no longer properly groom him. Bucky’s former riders were too busy to visit. And, Bucky had not enjoyed an apple in a very long time.

When I started school last fall, I was assigned to the horse farm bus stop. Across the fence was where I first saw Bucky. He was already retired and “turned-out-to-pasture.” Bucky usually stood idle under a big oak tree. He was thin and his coat lacked luster. His mane and tail were tangled and partially torn. Bucky’s teeth were long and loose. His legs were stiff, and his hooves were cracked. He was swaybacked and obviously unrideable. Bucky did not look spectacular as my mother previously described. Most people would think Bucky was an ugly spectacle. However, I never thought that.

Jeffrey and Peter, who were older students, were also assigned to my bus stop near the horse farm. They would often shout to Bucky, “Hey, you sorry excuse of a horse. You are useless and ugly!” I pleaded with the boys not to mock Bucky. When I tried to reach over the fence to pet Bucky, the mean boys always blocked my way. The school bus would arrive so there was little time for me to comfort the old horse.

As fall turned into winter, Bucky became terribly lonely and sad. He had forgotten about his successful show days. He had forgotten his cherished memories of pasture mates and human friends. Bucky even forgot about apples. All Bucky could remember was that the schoolboys called him useless. When a horse truly believes he is useless, he feels the saddest a horse can feel.

That winter was bitter cold. Bucky’s coat became shaggy. Bucky desperately pawed the snow-covered ground in search of hidden pasture grass. He often cowered under the tree with his hindquarters toward the wind and his head hung low. His matted forelock covered his teary eyes. During the cold winter, the school bus stopped at our driveways instead of the horse farm bus stop. The schoolboys and I ran directly from our houses to the bus. Fortunately, there was no time for the mean boys to mock Bucky’s appearance. Unfortunately, there was no time for me to pet Bucky’s neck, whisper encouraging words, or offer apple slices.

When the long cold winter subsided, delicate buds emerged on Bucky’s tree. Birds began to perch on the sturdy limbs and sing. Their presence made Bucky less lonely and the bird’s joyful melodies helped ease Bucky’s sadness. As springtime progressed, green leaves appeared on the branches. Bucky’s shaggy winter coat began to itch. When Bucky rubbed his neck and body against the tree trunk, clumps of matted horsehair fell to the ground.

During the warm spring mornings, the schoolboys and I spent more time at the bus stop. The mean boys resumed their mockery of Bucky. Peter shouted, “I see a hairy mess of an animal.”
Jeffrey added, “That ugly old horse is falling apart”.

Together, they both shouted, “You are useless! Useless! Useless!”
One morning, I reached into my lunch box to offer Bucky the apple slices my mother prepared for me.
Jeffrey scornfully said, “He won’t eat those. Don’t you know that old horse has bad teeth?”

I tossed the apple slices over the corner fence anyway. The school bus arrived and whisked us away to school. Bucky managed to eat the delicious apple slices. He enjoyed the sweetness of his horse slobber. He was reminded of the apple treats he received in his successful show days.
Later that morning, Bucky noticed some bird activity in his tree. The birds were busy building nests. Two chirpy little sparrows flew around Bucky’s head. Bucky propped his achy legs against the tree trunk and strained to listen carefully.
“Hey, Bucky, It is a beautiful morning. Why do you look so sad?” called
Mrs. Sparrow.

“I am old, ugly, and the school boys called me useless,” replied Bucky.
“We have watched you for many seasons and we know that is untrue,” chirped Mrs. Sparrow.
“I suppose you remember when I used to be a spectacular show horse,” uttered Bucky.
“You were spectacular,” agreed Mr. Sparrow.
“But, now I am useless which is the worst condition for a horse,” mumbled Bucky with downcast eyes.
“To us, you are extra-spectacular!” Mr. and Mrs. Sparrow sang in perfect harmony.
“Why do you say that?” questioned Bucky.

“Every spring, Mr. Sparrow and I prepare our nest in this tree. Do you know why?” she asked.
“Because this tree is sturdy?” answered Bucky.
“This tree is certainly sturdy, but we nest here because of you,” chirped
Mrs.Sparrow. She continued, “We use your horsehair to insulate our fragile eggs and your wonderful horsehair helps keep our hatchlings warm.”
“We would never be able to build our warm and tidy nests without you, Bucky!” Mr. and Mrs. Sparrow gratefully sang.

Bucky’s eyes opened widely, “Oh! Mr. and Mrs. Sparrow, I am so happy, I could jump for joy,” whinnied Bucky. He leaped and kicked-out his legs with glee.
Bucky’s landing was not so graceful, but that did not seem to bother him. Bucky realized that he did not want to be a spectacular show horse anymore. He just needed to feel useful.

Later that fall, the sparrow family waved good-bye and flew south. During future winters, Bucky no longer felt sad and useless. He proudly grew his hair long and he dutifully rubbed his old body against the tree in anticipation of spring. For many more seasons, Bucky happily supplied the birds with horsehair. And, Bucky’s nests were spectacular!