
A SON OF THE GODS - and - A HORSEMAN IN THE SKY
By Ambrose Bierce
The Introduction
A SON OF THE GODS
A HORSEMAN IN THE SKY
A bright, wind‑kissed day stretches over an open plain, the distant woods framing a line of weary troops who pause at the forest’s edge. Their murmurs blend with rustling leaves, hinting at nervous anticipation as a lone figure stands apart, eyes fixed on the horizon. In this quiet moment, the ordinary rhythm of camp life is broken by a sudden, uncanny sight that seems to lift the very air.
The narrative follows the soldier’s uneasy fascination with this unexpected phenomenon, exploring how the extraordinary intrudes upon the mundane world of war. As he grapples with the image—a lone rider soaring above the trees—his thoughts turn to myth and destiny, pulling him into a reflective, almost reverent meditation on what it means to be human amid conflict. The story sets a tone of subtle wonder, inviting listeners to linger on the line where reality meets the surreal.
Language
en
Duration
~35 minutes (33K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Schwan, and David Widger
Release date
2004-05-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1842–1913
Best known for sharp, unsettling tales and the wicked humor of The Devil's Dictionary, this American writer turned war experience into fiction that still feels eerie and modern. His mysterious disappearance in Mexico only deepened the legend around him.
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