Message for My Mustang

The fields were green and the crops swayed in the cool breeze. In the distance, the mountain peaks stood majestically. Large clouds floating across seemed to be taking sporadic breaks on these peaks. I parked my bike, sat down nearby, and watched as the clouds changed shapes and sizes. I knew I had to wait for my message. Sometimes, I get the messages quickly. Sometimes, I wait for a couple of hours, and then there are days when I don’t get any. But then, that’s how this messaging system works.

Patiently I waited and looked out for my message. And then I noticed it.

A set of clouds formed the shape of a horse. The ‘horse-cloud’ broke away from its parent set and joined another set. Surprisingly, each cloud in the second set was shaped like a horse. I pondered over this message. What is it? And then it struck me! The message was about Silver Light—set her free.

I started my bike, picked up speed, and left the fields and clouds were far behind. Soon, I reached the holding facility. There she was! Though all mustangs in this holding facility were beautiful, Silver Light was my favourite. Most of these mustangs are born and raised in this facility. Some are sold to horse lovers, some are set free, some become race horses, some are used for dispatch services in remote locations, etc. Silver Light would be set free.

Up to this day, Silver Light & I enjoyed a comfortable routine. She would set off on her favourite trail and I would follow on my bike. She would go around the green fields, over tiny rocks, reach the wooded area near the mountains, and would stop at the clearing in the woods.

Usually, the high point of our ride was the race across the clearing. At the sound of my bike horn, she & I would race to the far end of the clearing. These races filled me with sheer joy and I would marvel at her endurance limits and fine riding skills. After the race, we would watch the sun set over the mountains and then head back to the facility. Silver Light & I thoroughly enjoyed these daily rides and races.

But today is not an ordinary day. Today is not a day for a ride or a race. Today is Silver Light's day to freedom. Of free-roaming ancestry, Silver Light will be released from this holding facility. She would join one of the several free-roaming bands of mustangs that regularly pass through these woods.

So today, as always, we set off on her favourite trail, and reached the clearing in the woods. But today, we didn't race against each other. We stood there for some time. She looked magnificent and serene in the evening sun. Maybe she knew about her freedom. Maybe she too got a message. I thought about our numerous races and rides. Suddenly, the sound of hooves shook me out of my deep reverie. I looked at Silver Light. She looked alert, ears upright and had a focussed expression on her face. The sounds came nearer. With one final pat and goodbye, I pushed my bike into nearby bushes and stayed out of sight.

The sounds grew louder and the bands came into view. Seeing the band, Silver Light moved ahead a couple of steps, broke into a trot, and galloped towards them. Strong legs propelled her forward, and she caught up with the band just as they turned the corner—a picture perfect crossover.

Silver Light and her band crossed the clearing, and moved towards the mountains. They moved further away and became tiny dots on the horizon.

The message was carried out. After sitting there for some more time, I started my bike and reached the fields—just in time to catch a set of clouds settling down on the mountain peaks. Waiting for my next message...