The Surrender Box

Not being a rider, I was quite concerned when I was informed that I would need to acquire a mount for my adventure along the Serpentine Road. Since all the best donkeys had already be claimed by other travelers, I was forced to find another purveyor of transportation. I happened upon a stable near the Hermitage. Big Mike, the stable owner, said he had “just the right animal” for my trip. I thought I heard some snickering from the stable hands standing nearby.

“A fine, sure-footed beast,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. Since the price was right and I was in a hurry, I struck a deal. I walked away, leading a tall, heavy-maned white horse, complete with saddle and tack.  He heard the stable hands burst out in snorts and guffaws.

“Well,” I said, when I had worked up enough courage, “I guess it’s time to be off.” I was quite pleased with myself when I mounted and did not fall off the other side.

I settled my in the saddle. “Giddyapp!”

The horse stood there, unmoving.

“C’Mon, girl, let’s move!” I gave the animal a goad with my heels.

“Ouch! What idiot gave you a pair of spurs?” rumbled a deep voice.

I froze in my saddle.

“And who are you calling ‘girl’?”

“Excuse me, but did you just say something?” I asked as I leaned forward. The horse’s massive head swung around and he glared at me.

“Yes, I did. Do you see anyone else around?”

“Um, no, but, gee, well……”

“Well, what?”

“You’re a horse.”

He shook his mane and snorted. “Great. They’ve given me a real smart one.”

“But…. you talk…..”

“Stop, you’re overwhelming me with you mighty powers of observation! Of course, I can talk. All animals can talk if you just stop and listen to them. Except mice…. wretched little beasts……always underfoot….”

“Um, okay. You can talk. I apologize for being a dolt. Someone should have warned me I was getting Mr. Ed as a partner on this trip.”

“Uncle Ed? You know my Uncle Ed? “

“Nevermind. We need to get going.”

“No.”

“No?”

“No. You aren’t ready to leave yet. You need to leave it.”

“Leave what?” I asked nervously, shifting in my saddle.

“You know what.”

“Um, I beg to differ.”

Suddenly, the horse gave a soft buck with his hind quarters and I went sprawling on the ground. My saddle bag flopped open and the contents went flying as well.

A small box landed in front of me.

“That. Leave it.”

“Oh…. ha…. yes, how could I forget to leave that.” I slowly picked up the Surrender Box.

“You thought you could take that with you? All the bad memories– the memories you keep replaying in you mind– those vile conversations that you rehearse over and over– all those angry thoughts you keep mulling over in your heart. Too heavy. Not even I can carry those on this trip.”

I felt my face blush with shame.

He turned his head towards me and softly said, “No need for that, sweet cheeks…. you need to cut yourself some slack. Now get up and put that box away….. that’s it. Just leave it. No one will want it. One of the ravens will be by to take it and fly it far, far away. You won’t be seeing it anymore”

I placed the box as he directed and brushed a tear from my face.

“Now, now, let’s get away from here.” He nuzzled me gently with his soft nose. “The sun is rising high and those flies are such a bother when it gets along in the day. Up you go.”

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“They call me ‘Sweet Albert’”.

I mounted Sweet Albert and with a gentle trot, we were our way down the Serpentine Road.

Image and text: Lori Gloyd (c) May 15, 2006; Revised, July 7, 2007.