Jacob the Donkey by A. Richardson©1981

Jacob's Ladder...To hear the sound click the green arrow on the control above...

When a young thoroughbred sets out to win his first race, he does expect to be treated well, exercised, fed just the right amount, and even kept entertained. Unfortunately, Sap was not a happy race horse at all. He was bored, fed up with being whipped and definitely sick and tired of pretending to enjoy going to the races. All he really wanted was to play with the children whom he saw as he galloped across the downs, or roll about with his favourite friend, the dog from the nearby farm. From boredom to windsucking was such a short step. He started to hold the edge of his stable door and take deep chewy sucks of breath whenever he was left alone, which was much of the time.

His owner was given an ultimatum. " Either you get rid of that horse or take the lot from my stables , because I'm sick of repairing the stable doors he's ruined. The noise he's making is losing me business", was what his trainer was told.

A young girl was nearby when this was said. She hurried over to the owner and trainer, interjecting with, " If you don't want him , I'll have him, he's the lovliest horse I have ever seen". Well, Sap was lucky. His owner , being a kind person, sent him to the girls house, and with him was sent a small donkey called Jacob. Jacob was to be company for the horse. A new stable was built , where the two were lodged and soon they were the greatest of friends.

As the years went by Jacob played with the little children, whilst Sap was at horse shows. When they were both home they had such fun together. They were, without doubt, the happiest horse and donkey in the world. Jacob even entered in gymkhanas , where he won prizes, much to the astonishment of the other competitors, who thought a donkey should not be allowed to join in these events. Jacob and Sap were sure this was just because they were jealous.

Then the family moved. Horse boxes were brought in to transport the two friends. Their new home was in the welsh mountains. Life became less fun, and they saw less of the children than before, but they didn't know why. Often at night they would discuss the changes in their fortunes, with that one good thought. " At least we are still all together".

It must have been a case of famous last words, for shortly before the summer of 1977 , all hell broke loose in their familys' lives. Noone knew what happened , but Jacob disappeared altogether, Sap was later found in the Midlands where the people who stole him had sold him.

Now, you may wonder, what about Jacobs' Ladder? This is what I heard. In the old stable where the two friends slept , there was a ladder, which the children used, to climb up into the hayloft. The ladder was placed right next to Jacobs side of the stable, and therefore came to be called " Jacobs' Ladder ."

When Jacob disappeared , so did his ladder. He can be heard crying for his friend as he taps his foot upon the rung of the ladder, but noone knows where he is. Sap is old now. He has suffered greatly at the hands of man, where metal has been strapped round his neck and pulled tight to nearly choke him, so that he cannot windsuck or chew a door. Sometimes he cannot bear the pain of this torture any longer . He often weeps for his friends , the children, and the girl who loved him, but doesn't know where he went. She's grown old too you see.

Jacobs' ladder is in the heart of those who love a child, and all of you who love an animal. When ever you hear a tapping sound, but can't be sure where it's coming from, then you are probably hearing Jacobs' foot , tapping, as he sobs . Where ever you go, if you see a donkey, think of Jacob. Be kind. Give him food . Maybe one day you will see his ladder too. Perhaps you will be the one to bring Jacob, his ladder and his friends together again.

I do hope you have enjoyed this story. It is available as an E-Book on my download page.