15 Questions
What was done to my coat every day in the stable?
It was brushed
Who took me away from my first home?
A man from Squire Gordon's
What was the name of the place where I lived with Squire Gordon?
Birtwick Park
What kind of gate marked the entrance to Squire Gordon's park?
A large iron gate
What was special about the stall I was put in?
It was a loose box
What was provided in the stall for my food?
A low rack for hay
What was the condition of the stall when I was put in?
It was clean, sweet, and airy
What could the narrator see through the iron rails at the top of his box?
All that went on around him
What did the man give the narrator when he first arrived?
Some nice oats
What was the name of the little gray pony in the next stall?
Merrylegs
What was Ginger's bad habit?
She would bite and snap
Why did Miss Flora and Miss Jessie stop coming to the stable?
Because they were afraid of Ginger's biting
What did John do to please Ginger?
He did all he could to please her
How old was Merrylegs?
12 years old
What was Merrylegs' opinion about the stable?
It was the best place for horses around the country
Study Notes
The Narrator's Background
- The narrator was a horse who lived in a stable where his coat was brushed every day until it shone like a rook's wing.
- He was taken away from his first home by a man from Squire Gordon's and brought to the hall.
Squire Gordon's Estate
- Squire Gordon's park was located near the village of Birtwick and was entered through a large iron gate.
- The park had a smooth road lined with old trees, leading to the house and gardens, a home paddock, an old orchard, and the stables.
- The stables had many stalls, including a large square loose box with an iron gate, a low rack for hay, and a low manger for corn.
Meeting Merrylegs and Ginger
- The narrator met a little fat gray pony named Merrylegs in the adjacent stall.
- Merrylegs was very handsome, carried the young ladies on his back, and was well-liked by James and the mistress.
- The narrator also met a tall chestnut mare named Ginger, who had a bad habit of biting and snapping.
- Ginger was previously in the loose box but was moved to make room for the narrator.
Ginger's Past
- Ginger had a bad habit of biting and snapping, which caused James to be bitten and bleeding.
- Ginger was not well-treated in the past, which contributed to her bad habit.
- Merrylegs hoped that the narrator would not bite or snap, allowing the young ladies to visit again.
The Stables' Atmosphere
- John, the groom, was very kind and had been working at Squire Gordon's for 14 years.
- James was a kind boy who did his best to please Ginger.
- The narrator was told that Squire Gordon's estate was a good place for horses, and Merrylegs believed it was the best place in the country.
Test your knowledge of the first chapter of Anna Sewell's classic novel, Black Beauty. Learn about the horse's early life, his first home, and his transition to a new owner. Quiz yourself on the details of this beloved tale.
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