On the side of the road, in the shade of a tree, lay a small foal. Its frail body barely moved, its breathing was labored, and its eyes were filled with pain and fear.
There were scratches and blood on its ribs. Everything clearly indicated: it had been hit by a car, which then fled, leaving the poor animal to die.
The man felt his heart tighten. The mare — the mother — turned towards him and snorted softly, as if pleading with him.
— Forgive me… — he managed to whisper, feeling the knot in his throat choking him. — You… you were just asking for help…
Without hesitating for even a moment, he ran, carefully lifted the foal in his arms — like a child — and hurried towards the car. The mare ran alongside him, breathing heavily, as if afraid to leave her foal alone.
At the veterinary clinic, everything seemed like a whirlwind: bright lights, the smell of medicine, the tense faces of the doctors.
Hours passed before the veterinarian came out of the operating room.
— It was lucky, — he said. — A little later and we would have lost it. But it will live.
The store owner sighed with relief and looked out the window. The mare, tired and trembling, lay on the grass in front of the clinic, not taking her eyes off the door.
The store owner installed a new window — and next to it placed a photograph of the foal and its mother. And every person who entered the store read the inscription beneath it:
“Sometimes a cry for help doesn’t sound like a word… but like a neigh.”
This work is inspired by real events and people, but has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher do not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the events or for how the characters are portrayed and are not liable for any misinterpretations. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed belong to the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
