Assignment 2, Jin Rou, Riding Horses

The Master Riding Horses :

Version by Ron Epstein:Today is my first time to hear about the Master owning a horse and how the horse saved his life--his relationship with the horse is another good example for children.

Version by DM Sure: I overheard DM Sure say that the Master used to ride wild horses; that he would stand up and ride backwards; so I thought having him tame a wild horse would make a good children's account as follows (as something that could have happened): My question is: Does it work for you? (The Master told some of us teachers that it is okay to change the stories as long as there was principle.)

Version by Jin Rou:

To give his parents even more worry, Yu Shu rides horses--the wilder the better. His neighbor has a new horse that has never been ridden before. It is a beautiful white stallion with a golden mane. After work, Yu Shu joins the other farm boys to see who will be the first to break it in.

One by one, each boy takes his turn. And one by one, the horse throws them off like hot coals. Yu Shu stands by, watching. “Let me ride.”

“You'll need this,” says the neighbor, handing him a whip.

“No, I won't.”

Walking slowly up to the horse, he clucks softly and runs his hand along its belly. The horse snorts and stands perfectly still. Twisting his fingers in its long mane, Yu Shu swings onto its back, now wet with sweat.

The wild bucking that everyone is waiting for never comes. Yu Shu eases the horse into a slow walk and out into the pasture. Soon they are galloping at full speed. To everyone's surprise, he stands up on the horse's back and spreads his arms out like wings. The crowd cheers and hoots!

Reining in the horse, Yu Shu slips off its back. “I was just having fun,” he says, handing the reins to the owner. “This is a fine horse. Treat him well and don't use a whip on him.”

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