Fables (Stevenson)/The Carthorses and the Saddlehorse
XIV.
THE CARTHORSES AND THE SADDLEHORSE.
TWO carthorses, a gelding and a mare, were brought to Samoa, and put in the same field with a saddlehorse to run free on the island. They were rather afraid to go near him, for they saw he was a saddlehorse, and supposed he would not speak to them. Now the saddlehorse had never seen creatures so big. "These must be great chiefs," thought he, and he approached them civilly. "Lady and gentleman," said he, "I understand you are from the colonies. I offer you my affectionate compliments, and make you heartily welcome to the island."
The colonials looked at him askance, and consulted with each other.
"Who can he be?" said the gelding.
"He seems suspiciously civil," said the mare.
"I do not think he can be much account," said the gelding.
"Depend upon it he is only a Kanaka," said the mare.
Then they turned to him.
"Go to the devil!" said the gelding.
"I wonder at your impudence, speaking to persons of our quality!" cried the mare.
The saddlehorse went away by himself. "I was right," said he, "they are great chiefs."