Pegasus Riding Club

Gerald was only five when his father took him to the Pegasus Riding Club to be trained in equestrian riding. Horse riding was not only an integral part of the royal family’s tradition, but also a personal passion of his father. The club was the finest in town with experienced instructors, well-maintained stables, fenced paddocks, and some of the best breeds of horses. For beginners, they even offered a five-day tailored program to help choose the right horse.
Gerald, however, had little interest in any of it. A mischievous child, he preferred staying home and playing with his sister. Still, he was brought to the club.
At the entrance, he was warmly greeted by the enthusiastic manager, Mr. Baker, who entrusted him to Kim Bodwen,a dedicated young instructor.
And so began Gerald’s five-day training.
Day 1
Kim greeted him gently.
“Hello, Gerald. Since you’re one of the youngest riders here, we value your opinion. Do you have any preference for horses?”
The boy stared at her for a moment,then ran straight into the green fields, laughing, jumping, and somersaulting across the grass.
“Mr. Gerald,” Kim tried again patiently, “we can start with a Quarter Horse. His name is Lucas,the calmest of them all. May I help you with your helmet and vest?”
Gerald ignored her completely. He sat on the grass, bargaining instead for chocolates and ice creams and insisting he wanted to ride a unicorn. The only thing that caught his attention were the sugar cubes meant for the horses.
Day 2
The sky was gloomy, with hailstorms predicted later in the day. Kim brought Crimson, a Turkoman horse known for her gentle nature.
Determined this time, she said, a little firmly,
“Gerald, look!we have a golden horse for you today. Don’t be scared while riding. Just relax and move with her.”
“But I want a silver unicorn,” Gerald declared.
Before she could persuade him further, the rain began pouring. They rushed back under shelter, the lesson unfinished.
Day 3
The sun returned, and with it came Zoltan,a graceful Friesian, black as night.
After much coaxing, Kim finally managed to get Gerald onto the saddle. Sit straight,” she said, adjusting his posture.“Hold the reins firmly.”“Control the horse.”

The first time he sat on one, his small fingers barely wrapped around the reins. The world suddenly seemed taller, unfamiliar. The horse shifted slightly beneath him, and Gerald felt a flicker of fear.But then, instinctively, he leaned forward and whispered,“I won’t hurt you.”The horse stilled and stumbled slightly, and the boy panicked.“I don’t want to ride a horse!” he cried. “I want a unicorn that can fly!”

Three days had passed, and not a single proper ride had been completed.
Day 4
Kim brought Sunshine, an Arabian pony,fast, intelligent, but temperamental.
That day, nothing went right. Sunshine refused the bridle, reared, and bolted back toward the stalls. Amid the chaos, Gerald stood clapping and laughing in delight, as though it were all a grand performance.
Kim, though experienced, felt the pressure mounting. The club valued this royal association. Failure was not an option.
So she devised a plan.
Day 5
On the final day, Kim brought out Bucephalus,a magnificent Gypsy Cob, white and gleaming, with feathery hooves that shimmered in the sunlight.
Kneeling beside Gerald, she said softly,
“Look what I’ve brought for you… a unicorn.”
The boy’s eyes lit up.
“My unicorn!” he shouted, running toward the horse.
For a moment, victory seemed certain.
But as he reached closer, he paused, frowned, and said,
“This is just a dressed-up horse. Unicorns have horns.”
And just like that, the ride was over before it began.
Mr. Baker later wrote to Gerald’s father, requesting an extension of the training period. The five-day program had ended without a single successful session.
The next morning, Kim arrived early.
As she walked past the meadows, she stopped.
There was Gerald,laughing, carefree, riding a wild  baby donkey with the help of an attendant.
He waved at her cheerfully.
Kim couldn’t help but smile.
“Hi, Gerald,” she called out.
“I see you found your unicorn.”And for that fleeting moment, untouched by expectation or outcome,thw child's innocense taught her riding was not only about mastery, achievement,discipline or applause it was also about having fun in the process.