The Horseman
It was a bitter, cold evening in northern Virginia many, many
years ago. The old man's beard was glazed by winter's frost
while he waited for a ride across the river. The wait seemed
endless. His body became numb and stiff from the frigid north wind. He heard
the faint, steady rhythm of approaching hooves galloping along the frozen path.
Anxiously, he watched as several horsemen rounded the bend. He let the first one
pass by without an effort to get his
attention. Then another passed by... and another. Finally, the last rider
neared the spot where the old man sat like a snow statue. As this one drew
near, the old man caught the rider's eye and said, "Sir, would you mind giving
an old man a ride to the other side? There doesn't appear to be a passageway by
foot."
Reining his horse, the rider replied, "Sure thing. Hop aboard." Seeing the old
man was unable to lift his half-frozen body from the ground, the horseman
dismounted and helped the old man onto the horse. The horseman took the old man
not just across the river, but to his destination, which was just a few miles
away.
As they neared the tiny but cozy cottage, the horseman's
curiosity caused him to inquire, "Sir, I notice that you let
several other riders pass by without making an effort to secure a ride. Then I
came up and you immediately asked me for a ride. I'm curious why, on such a
bitter winter night, you would wait and ask the last rider. What if I had
refused and left you there?"
The old man lowered himself slowly down from the horse, looked the rider
straight in the eyes, and replied, "I've been around these here parts for some
time. I reckon I know people pretty good."
The old-timer continued, "I looked into the eyes of the other
riders and immediately saw there was no concern for my situation. It would have
been useless even to ask them for a ride. But when I looked into your eyes,
kindness and compassion were evident. I knew, then and there, that your gentle
spirit would welcome the opportunity to give me assistance in my time of need."
Those heartwarming comments touched the horseman deeply.
"I'm most grateful for what you have said," he told the old man. "May I never
get too busy in my own affairs that I fail to
respond to the needs of others with kindness and compassion."
With that, Thomas Jefferson turned his horse around and made his way back to the
White House.
~Author Unknown~
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