The Animals, The Map, and the Treasures

By Craig Lombardi

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How these animals came together in one place at the same time under the same circumstances, will remain a mystery to be solved. Some say that it was the storm of all storms, that this storm was really the earth shaking for days, tossing the animals up in the sky in the same direction. Others say that the winds swooped

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: Sep 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781649901521

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Words of Appreciation (Author's Note)

I thank God for giving me life,

my parents for allowing it to unfold,

my wife for her devoted partnership,

my children for loving me unconditionally,

my friends for keeping me connected,

and myself for trusting and believing.

Thank you.

—Craig, 2020

The Map

The Mystery

H

ow these animals came together in one place at the same time under the same circumstances will remain a mystery. Some say that it was the storm of all storms, that this storm was really the earth shaking for days, tossing the animals up into the sky in the same direction. Others say that the winds scooped them up from the ground and carried them together along the same path. Some even believe that the rains flooded the lands and directed them on the same course. However, we know one thing is true: it happened. Thus, I am here to tell you the story about the way a horse, a butterfly, and a dog not only found their ways home but changed each other's lives forever.

Hikaru the Horse

B

efore Hikaru was born, he already had been given a legacy to fulfill. He would be the light shining radiantly above the rest. He would accomplish great things and influence the world around him. His life had already been planned out for him—or so they thought. What they didn't plan on was Hikaru defining what legacy he wanted to leave, a legacy that would be defined more by values than valuables.

Hikaru was born into a long bloodline of champion thoroughbreds that were bred to win. He would be no exception. He was expected to triumph. Separated from his mother at six months of age, Hikaru began his training. On most mornings, he would rise at the break of dawn, awaiting directions. Directions would continue throughout most of the day. As a result, Hikaru did not have the opportunity to develop his own decision-making or problem-solving abilities and depended more on the opinions and interests of those who trained him. Hikaru learned that compliance was expected, and noncompliance was punished. A great deal of his time was spent alone in a stable away from other horses, adults, or children. But none of that would be important for his survival. It became clear to Hikaru that what was important to his survival was winning races.

And win races he did, but only for a while. Regrettably, Hikaru started developing injuries to his body that made winning much more difficult. Hikaru felt as if his body were rejecting his legacy. Didn't his body know he was destined for great things? Didn't his body care that he came from a famous family? In time, Hikaru would discover that the racetrack could be cruel or could be supportive. It did not take sides. Its purpose was only to measure outcomes.

And then came the day when his owner no longer wanted or needed him. Hikaru was to be sold. This made him question his value and identity as a horse. He questioned whether he was a failure. He questioned what would happen to him if he never won another race. Maybe he deserved to be treated the way his owner was treating him because of all the races that he lost. Little did Hikaru know at the time that this trip to the horse auction would become one of the most necessary and instructive experiences in his life.

On his way to the auction, Hikaru passed a farm at which he observed horses and children interacting with one another. This was new to him. He thought that horses only ran races. This new experience planted a seed of curiosity in Hikaru's mind. Even though this farm was very different than where he trained and raced, he found himself connected deeply to what he saw. He imagined himself being one of those horses. However, it wasn't long before other thoughts filled his mind with confusion and doubt. What if the horses that he saw at the farm were born to do that? What if he wasn't as good as the other horses? What did he even know about children? In fact, what did he know about anything other than being a racehorse? These thoughts led him back to his life as it was: a horse that was about to be sold to the highest bidder.

Do I have a hundred? the auctioneer inquired.

That horse ain't worth that much! someone shouted from the bleachers.

A silence went over the crowd, until one gentleman motioned with his hand his intention to bid. Going once…going twice…sold to the man in the red hat! the auctioneer bellowed.

Getting inside the trailer wasn't an easy step for Hikaru. It meant giving up the life he knew. Even though it was an unfulfilling life, it was still familiar to him. And as the latch of the trailer closed behind him, Hikaru felt a peace that he had never experienced before.

The rhythm of the trailer wheels intensified his drowsiness, guiding him into a deep sleep. Dreams of the farm with the horses and children flashed before him. Hikaru saw himself looking down from atop a hill in the direction of a farm. Even though he couldn't make out the details of the moving images, he just knew in his heart that they were children and horses. And then Hikaru's attention was directed to the bottom of the hill where he was standing—a bottom that appeared to never end.

Are you ready to come down from there? inquired the man with the red hat. Are you ready?

At this time, Hikaru realized that he was awake and in the