1 Book Review Book: Black Beauty Author: Anna Sewell Story Plot: Life events of a Young Beautiful Horse Characters: Black Beauty Horse, his Friends and various masters Location: England Relevance: The book been written 150 years ago yet it is relevant even in today’s world as well as it evokes the feelings towards the animals who are subjected to human atrocities. I can relate this book with the recent events I witnessed on TV News that the horses who are used for Vaishno Devi Yatra and Kedar nath and Badrinath Yatra are in a bad condition. Their master treat them just as a subject to earn money and keep exploiting them till their painful death. It is not just for the horses, there are many other animals like Dogs and puppies we watch on the streets been treated badly by passer bys and many good hearted people also do not act to help them. And yet there are few who do care for them and help these help less creatures. Favorite Excerpt from the book: An old man travelling the Cab Driver Jerry’s cab which is being pulled by Black Beauty and engaged in the conversation: ‘’ Our friend stood for a moment, and throwing his head a little back, ‘ Do you know why this world is as bad as it is?’ ‘No , Said the Other. ‘Then I tell you. It is because people think only about their own business, and won’t trouble themselves to stand up for the oppressed nor bring the wrong-does to the light. I never see a wicked thing like this without doing what I can, and many a monster has thanked me for letting him know how his horses have been used.” “I wish there were more gentlemen like you , sir. “ Said Jerry. “For they are wanted badly in this city.” After this we continued our journey, and as they got out of the cab, our friend was saying, “my doctrine is this, that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and do nothing. We make ourselves shares in the guilt.” Reviewer: Animesh Gaur; VI A/ Happy Model School. Animesh Gaur VIth A; Roll No: 6 HMS WORLD 2 About the Author: In reading about the author, Anna Sewell, I learned that she was often ill growing up and as an adult. At the age of 12, she fell and injured both her ankles which never healed properly and she was never able to walk well for the rest of her life. This began her close association with horses as they were her means of transportation and she developed a deep love for them. She became very concerned about the inhumane treatment of animals, especially horses. As an adult in her mid-fifties, she was confined to her bed but dictated the text of this novel to her mother. ‘Black Beauty’ was the only book she ever wrote. She died a year after it was published. My Experience: The book reminded me about the Story of ‘HATCHIKO’ which I read in my class 3rd English text book. In fact, I read about Black Beauty in my last year’s English Book where the incident of removing Check Reins from the horses’ neck was narrated. My Father made us watch the Movie HATCIKO as well and myself and my sister were really emotional watching the love and affection of Dog towards his master. He also made me watch the movie BLACK BEAUTY and got this book for my reading. However, due to procrastination I never started reading it unless we were given the task of Book Review for our Summer Holidays. I had absolutely no idea about anything related to horses except one moment of my Maternal Uncle’s wedding where I got a chance to see and touch the horses pulling his chariot. We all, me, my sister and my cousins, had a great ride in the chariot and had lot of fun. In one moment I was trying to touch the White Horse but my father told me not to do so as they were seemingly tired and agitated because of so many people dancing around them and there was a loud music as well. I could clearly see that they were not enjoying the way we all were enjoying the moment and were seemingly helplessly tied to the chariot. Reviewer: Animesh Gaur; VI A/ Happy Model School. As I stated above, man is still exploiting the horses and they are being ignored by their customers at various Hill Stations and Historical places, not only horses, it includes Elephants, Camels and Bulls as well. I don’t know in the Machine age of Cars/ E Bikes and E Scooters why this exploitation is continuing? However, Now I would like to take you through the Amazing Journey of the Book BLACK BEAUTY from my view point. Animesh Gaur VIth A; Roll No: 6 HMS WORLD 3 BLACK BEAUTY follows the life of an ebony horse from birth to old age, and from pasture to the cobblestone streets of 19th century England. This morality tale and animal "autobiography" gives a majestic horse a voice that's relatable yet unsentimental. Black Beauty's life begins on the grounds of an aristocratic English family. The young horse learns early lessons from his mother before circumstances force his sale to a new master; it's the first of several such sales/moves for the horse. As his life intersects with different human owners, caretakers, and neighbors, Black Beauty experiences different kinds of care and abuse, and he observes the differing attitudes of humans toward horses. Peppered throughout the novel are the moral lessons that the author, Anna Sewell, wants to impart to her readers: that truly good humans are kind to all of God's creatures, that parents should teach their children to be kind to animals, and perhaps most important, that even though they can't speak, horses can feel. My parents taught me about Lord Shiva who is also Known as PASHUPATI NATH, he who is the Creator of all Living Beings or PASHUs. Anna Sewell also tried the similar attempt to impart empathy towards the Horses as Creatures created by God and that how do they feel about the good and bad treatment by most evolved creature; THE HUMAN BEING’. Book Rating: Remarks: Animesh Gaur ALL STARS A MUST READ for ALL KIDs. VIth A; Roll No: 6 HMS WORLD
