Big Jack, and other true stories of horses

At the busy corner of Broadway and Twenty‑second Street a remarkable horse makes his daily rounds. Big Jack, a towering white animal with a coat like fresh snow, carries himself with a quiet dignity that sets him apart from the other city steeds. Though his diet is limited to oats, fruit and the occasional lump of sugar, his massive frame and gentle brown eyes reveal a richer inner nature. He has become a familiar fixture of the neighborhood, as dependable as the streetcars that hiss past.

The narrator first encounters Jack while waiting with her little daughter, and the horse’s enormous eyes seem to speak directly to the child. A shy smile and a soft nuzzle convince the girl to offer a handful of sugar, prompting Jack to lower his great head and accept the tender touch. Each morning his driver arrives with a crisp apple, and Jack greets the sound of hooves with a resonant whinny before prancing about like a colt. Listeners will soon discover how this giant’s daily rhythm weaves him into the lives of the city’s residents.