In a sprawling Afghan kingdom, a king dreamt one night of a black foal. In his vision, the foal’s presence promised great fortune, but also warned of looming peril. Soon after, the queen’s mare gave birth to a colt of jet-black hue, shining like polished obsidian under the sun. The king, fearful of the prophecy, ordered the foal killed.
But a loyal stable boy, young and brave, could not allow the innocent creature to perish. Secretly, he spirited the foal away, tending to it with care. As the colt grew, a remarkable bond formed. The black horse would speak to him in dreams, guiding him with gentle whispers of wisdom:
“Fear nothing while I am by your side. Danger will come, but together we are stronger than the winds and sharper than the mountains.”
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Time passed, and the king discovered that the foal had survived. Terrorful of the prophecy’s warning, he exiled the young boy, now a prince in secret, sending him wandering across the harsh Afghan frontier. The prince and the black foal traversed deserts where sands shifted like waves, and crossed jagged highlands under skies of relentless sun. The horse’s supernatural intelligence safeguarded the prince: it sensed hidden dangers, raced faster than the desert wind, and warned him of treachery in whispered dreams. Through these hardships, the prince learned resilience, humility, and honor, the qualities of a true leader.
Their journey eventually brought them to a foreign kingdom in turmoil. A rival king had besieged the land, and local villages whispered of demons devouring livestock and threatening the people. Seeing opportunity to prove himself, the prince offered his service.
The king’s daughter observed the black horse carefully. She noted the colt’s uncanny intelligence and the silent command it seemed to give her companion. Persuaded by its demeanor, she convinced her father to trust the pair. When battle approached, the horse instructed the prince with precision:
“Take the mountain pass at dawn. Strike only when fear is absent from your heart. Your courage is your shield, strategy your sword.”
The prince followed these instructions, and their forces won the day, not through brute strength, but by cunning and discipline. Villagers cheered, and the king himself acknowledged the prince’s bravery.
Yet envy quickly sprouted in the royal court. Whispered rumors claimed the horse was demonic, sent to manipulate the prince. The king, torn between gratitude and superstition, reluctantly decided the black foal must die. Before action could be taken, the princess warned the prince. Together, they fled under the cover of night, the black horse leading the escape.
Pursuers chased them relentlessly, but the foal revealed powers beyond imagination. It conjured illusions of multiple riders, raised walls of swirling dust, and leapt across ravines that would have stopped ordinary horses. The pair reached neutral lands, far from the reach of jealous nobles and vindictive kings.
Years passed. The prince grew into a wise, just ruler of a modest but prosperous kingdom, one free from corruption and envy. Through every trial, the black foal remained his companion, guiding him and providing counsel as much as protection. When the horse’s life drew to its natural close, it spoke one last time:
“Bury me high in the mountains. Bless every horse that comes after me. Remember loyalty and courage are treasures greater than gold.”
The prince obeyed, and from that day forward, he never rode another mount. The memory of the black foal endured as a testament to enduring friendship and courage in the face of fear.
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Moral Lesson
Loyalty outlasts fear, and true friendship guides one through exile, danger, and destiny. Courage and trust in allies are as vital as any weapon in life’s battles.
Knowledge Check
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Who are the main characters in The Black Foal?
The young prince and the magical black foal, whose bond drives the story.
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What is the significance of the black foal in the tale?
The foal symbolizes loyalty, supernatural guidance, and courage through hardship.
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What lessons does the prince learn during exile?
Humility, resilience, strategic thinking, and the importance of trust and friendship.
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How does the prince defeat the enemy kingdom?
By following the horse’s guidance and using clever strategy rather than brute force.
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What role does envy play in the story?
Court jealousy creates conflict, forcing the prince and horse into flight and testing their loyalty.
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What is the cultural origin of The Black Foal?
Afghan and Pashtun heroic-animal folktale cycles, rooted in frontier oral tradition.
Source: Adapted from Afghan & Pashtun heroic-animal folktales, collected in regional oral traditions of the Afghan highlands and Pashtun frontier. Appears in anthologies of Afghan folklore and Pashtun narrative cycles.
Cultural Origin: Afghanistan (Pashtun/Afghan folklore)
