Horseshoe

The horseshoe came from the very first horse that the family owned. The horse’s name was Jim, and originally belonged to a friend of the Cawdor family, who sadly passed away. Jim was much loved by the friend and wished him to be cared for when he died, and so left the horse to the Cawdors. The Cawdors were poor, and to them it was a wonderful gesture. The Cawdors put the horse to work ploughing their fields, and through this extra help they managed to make more business on the farm, and eventually expand. When old Jim died, the Cawdors took a horseshow from him, and passed it down to the next generation in the family. The horseshoe was passed on to the eldest song on his coming of age, ready to continue the family farm.

The horseshoe was passed down through each family. Fast forward to today, where the horseshoe is destined to land in the hands of one Jonathan Cawdor. The last in the line of Cawdor men, at the age of 16, the mantle was passed to Jonathan to be the next owner of the farm. His mother and father were excited on the day of his 16th birthday, ready to present to him the lucky horseshoe. Jonathan however, had other ideas...

In this new age, farming was becoming less of a common choice of living. With television and newspapers came an ever-growing interest in the outside world, and what lay out there for him. Economics had taken a hold of Jonathan’s world. Stocks, shares, companies’ rise and fall, the current state of commerce, and the great wealth it could all bring. When Jonathan feared this news would upset his family, he was not wrong.

Jonathan and his parents argued at first. When Jonathan’s parents passed down the horseshoe and related once more the tale of Jim the horse, and that it was Jonathan’s turn to take over the farm, he plainly refused. He stated his wish to leave for the city, to study and become part of the business world. Shocked at first, they scolded him, sent him to his room without dinner, and spoke not to him until the next morning. Relations between them were difficult for the next few days, until things almost settled into a comfortable norm once more, but there was something different. Farming was no longer mentioned to Jonathan, and if conversation on the topic ever came up around him, it would quickly be quelled. Jonathan feared however, that with his decision he had upset his parents, and forever lose their respect.

As he left the little family house, suitcase in hand, he glanced over at the old, worn wooden bench on the front porch, where he had spent many a day gathering his thoughts. As he sat down upon the bench for the first time, he noticed something lying on the wooden slats next to him. As he picked it up, cold and heavy, and held it up to the glaring sun, he smiled broadly. He held in his hands the lucky horseshow, and holding this, he knew that the truth was, his parents didn’t mind what he did, but that they believed in him, were proud of him, and wished him good luck in his endeavours. Knowing this, he could finally leave his family home without a care in the world.