Braun rolled and writhed on his back, twisting and turning, this way and that. Ah, the sweet smell and soft feel of the plush green clover on his adolescent hide! This was the life! He stood up with a snort to clear his nostrils and gave a good shake that rippled from his head to his tail. The abundant sunshine warmed his Appalousa mottled coat. Young, strapping muscles, just a few years developed defined his frame. He took off in a gallop, tail outstretched, head held proud, easily making a lap around this field of glory. He ground to a halt and let out a high back leg kick and a jump or two. Then he let go with a nice, loud whinny. It sounded good to hear his own voice in the quiet, still morning air. He turned his head around, viewing the rural landscape in all directions. Ample fields and few fences bordered a wide open country representing freedom. He could go any direction he pleased. He felt lighter without that saddle. And, oh! No more bit to pinch his young mouth! Just the thought of this newfound freedom sent him around the pasture again in his excitement. He finally became bored with the silence and wandered aimlessly off to find what interesting thing lie around the bend.
Only days prior, Braun had rebelled against the only life he knew. He had become disgruntled and felt entitled to be his own horse. He longed to be rid of having to always do as someone else dictated. There was such a big world out there to see! His brother, Red, remained behind to work the fields. Braun remembered his Master's eyes just before leaving. The depth of them was deeper than he could know. He figured his Master just couldn't understand, then shook his head, and walked away.
The sun grew hot as it peaked in the sky. Green fields wilted into grays and browns. Grasshoppers popped in the scorching heat. Braun's ribs shown through his once full torso. His head drooped and nostrils flared. Even breathing was difficult in this heat! Desperation sank its teeth in. His mind wandered back to his luxurious living. My, how things change so fast! He had thoroughly enjoyed running amouck with wild friends, living a dream. No one to tell him what to do. No curfews. No work schedules. No worries. Just fun times and excess. Now, to hear the dry, sunburned weeds crunching under his cracked hooves was just too much to bear! It had been days since his last good meal. His so called friends had laid down, relenting to the heat. They were too weak to move any more. His weary eyes saw some pigs in the distance. He couldn't believe what he was thinking. There was no use fighting it. He waited until the coast was clear, then snuck in and more or less attacked the pig slop. He plopped his belly right down in their mire and inhaled as much slop as he could muster. All the while, he couldn't get the sight of his Master's eyes out of his mind. "I'll be dead by morning if I don't get medicine and proper care," he thought. So he did the unthinkable: he tucked his tail between his legs and plodded back towards home, hoping to beg his Master to take him in and care for him.
JC was outside gathering water from the well when He looked up and saw a trail of dust on the horizon. Seeing the figure silhouetted for the first time, He ran excitedly towards it. Braun's knees were buckling in exhaustion as JC embraced him and helped him back to the barn. JC washed him clean of his blackened, miry coat and put a fresh bucket of water and feed up to his snout.
"Please forgive me, Master," Braun panted. "I am not worthy of Your Name." Braun's eyes immediately cleared up and he turned to notice his splotchy hide was now bright white!
"Not only do I give you My Name," JC replied. "But I give you a new name. From now on, you will be known as Whitey, My own trusty steed."
Whitey buried his head in his Master's lap, accepting this grace with a grateful heart. He would never walk away again. This was where he belonged, right here with JC.
Meanwhile, Red came in from working the fields and saw the moment his Master and Braun were having. Fire blew from his nostrils as Red became angry and indignant. "This brother of mine walked away and blew it! Now he comes back, dragging himself in here, and expects to just pick up where he left? Hmmphhh..."
"Easy, Red, " JC comforted. "This brother of yours was dead; now he is alive. He was lost; now he is found. He has returned home with a new heart and a new name. He is now Whitey. Now you know how I truly feel about my family. I care for them deeply and I'm not afraid to sit with those that are a mess. That was the look in my eyes that Whitey saw before walking away. But now we must celebrate his return. It is my hope that the both of you will learn to enjoy being with me every day of your lives. Come in here for the real thing, Red," JC coaxed, arms spread out, smiling. "Come on!"
Finally, Red softened and stepped into the giant embrace of his Master. He even reached down and nudged his brother, Whitey, with his muzzle, as if to say, 'I forgive you, too, brother'. "Can I get a new name too?", he whined. JC tilted His head back and let out His familiar huge belly laugh that seemed to make everything okay again.
