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Mr. Ramsey: [picks up a small carved statue of a black horse] You know, I'll bet this is the most valuable piece here. It's Bucephalus, the magic horse of Alexander the Great. A long time ago, this King was gonna kill Bucephalus; because he was so wild, the King couldn't ride him. He had Bucephalus brought into a big arena and people came from all around; because they wanted to see this horse that was the biggest and the blackest and the strongest, the most beautiful horse that ever was. King Philip goes walkin' out der and he looked out on some of his men and he said, "Kill that horse." Just then a voice called out from the edge of the crowd and said, "I can ride that horse." Everybody looked around, they said, "Who said that?" Looked over and it was a little kid - just about your size, just about your age. And King Philip looked over and he said, "Son, if you can ride that horse, you can have that horse." So, Alexander walked out in the big arena and standing in the middle of the arena was Bucephalus. He was *big* and he was *strong* - and he was pawing the ground. And there was *fire* in his eyes. And there was smoke comin' out of his nose. And he went: Mmmmbbbbbb. And Alexander walked up and quick-as-a-cat he jumped up on his back, and he grabbed hold of that long black mane - and away they went! Just like lightening! And they jumped right over the crowd, right over the stands, and went ridin' out over the hill. Everybody said, "Whew!"
Alec Ramsey: [disbelievingly] Smoke comin' out of his nose.
Mr. Ramsey: Fire in his eyes!
Alec Ramsey: Fire in his eyes.
[chuckles]
Mr. Ramsey: Well, that's the way I heard the story.
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Girl Reciting Poem: Ode to Alec Ramsey: I think that I shall never see, A boy as brave as Alec Ramsey. Hunger and thirst, And fear and pain, He lived because his heart had aim. A horse! As black as night to day, A beast, A god, With whom he did stay. They slept on the sand, And played in the ocean, And rode over the island, In a singular motion. Now, here he sits, A hero among boys, With the love of a horse, Much more than mere toy.
Kelly Reno
Extended Reading
