
In this quiet memoir a young chestnut mare recalls her first years on a Satakunta farm, where the meadow by Kaisla Lake became her playground of sun‑lit afternoons. She narrates the close bond with her mother, nursing at the udder and splashing together in the cool birch shade, while the farmer’s steady routine marks the passing days. The other foals, older and sometimes quarrelsome, add a touch of rivalry, and the kind owner and gentle stablehand treat the horses with the affection of children.
As the seasons shift, the mare senses the stir of new duties, hinting at the first training trials and a looming contest with neighboring estates. The narrative balances pastoral charm with a growing sense of purpose, inviting listeners to follow her steady trot from carefree youth toward the early steps of a life beyond the meadow. It offers a gentle glimpse into the world of horses, their bonds, and the quiet resilience that guides them forward.
Language
fi
Duration
~2 hours (164K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Anna Siren and Tapio Riikonen
Release date
2020-05-26
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1820–1878
Best known for the beloved classic Black Beauty, this English writer turned deep sympathy for animals into one of the most enduring stories in children’s literature. Her work was shaped by illness, a quiet Quaker upbringing, and a lifelong concern for the humane treatment of horses.
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