From that day on, a bochur by the name of Aryeh was hired to come to their house in the early hours of the morning and escort the boys to school each day. It was a fine arrangement, until one morning the boys became distracted by something. This day would change the trajectory of their predictable, pleasant, and safe lives.

As the twins were following Aryeh out the door that morning, they heard a loud snorting noise.

“What was that?” Shimon turned to look toward the back of the house.

“It sounded like a horse!” Reuven exclaimed. “Remember Abba said he was going to purchase one last week? It’s supposed to help him carry his wares. He’s never let us close to a horse before. He’s always so nervous about us getting hurt.”

“Can we please go look at the horse?” Shimon turned to Aryeh with wide eyes. “It’ll only take a moment!”

“No, I’m sorry. We’re going to be late to cheder.” Aryeh looked up at the sun. “It’s getting late. Come…”

“Oh, can’t you just let us see the horse, if only this one time!” Reuven and Shimon stared up at Aryeh with wide eyes. “We’ll walk extra fast to cheder after to make up for any lost time!”

“I really can’t. I—”

A loud neigh pierced the air and the twins burst out laughing in glee and excitement.

“Let us see the horse! Please! Please!”

“Okay, fine!” Aryeh smiled despite his best efforts to appear strict. “Your excitement is contagious and to be honest, I’m curious what type of horse your father purchased.”

Aryeh followed the twins as they raced to the small, dilapidated shed behind the house and opened the creaky front door. Sunlight poured in from the open windows high above, spilling across batches of hay and a large, magnificent grey horse. The horse stood majestically, its powerful body glowing in the rays of sunlight as it turned its huge eyes to look at the three strangers, staring in awe.

The twins approached with wide-eyed fascination, their hearts thumping excitedly as they reached out and caressed the giant creature.

“Easy, easy…” Aryeh cautioned as the twins moved yet closer. “You don’t know if it’s friendly or not. I don’t want you boys to get hurt.”

The boys patted the horse’s long neck, falling in love with the majestic animal.

“I love horses!” Shimon grinned.

“Me too…” Reuven glanced down at the saddle resting nearby on the floor.

He looked at his twin and they both said,

“Let’s ride it!”

“No!” Aryeh insisted. “You said you wouldn’t be too long and we’ve wasted more than enough time here already. Let’s go!”

The twins reluctantly followed Aryeh out, but not before looking back at the giant horse that seemed to glimmer with mystique, mystery, and adventure. The boys knew they would be back soon to see their new friend.

From that day on, the boys would constantly convince Aryeh to allow them to visit the horse before they left for cheder. Soon they had taught themselves to ride the horse and would wake up early in the morning to gallop around the countryside as the sun rose over the scenic hilltops.

They began to work instead of learning, whenever they could get away with it, and saved up enough money to purchase their own steeds. It was not long before they had stopped going to cheder completely and instead would go horseback riding. Aryeh joined them, and the three of them would squander their days attending horse fairs and horse races. Nesanel and his wife had no idea that his children and Aryeh were not going to cheder when they left each morning.

One day, as the twins and Aryeh were galloping across the open countryside, they were spotted by a pair of watchful eyes.

to be continued…

Y.B Productions is proud to announce the next exciting installment in the Miser series. The Miser 2, by Yehuda Bromberg, is coming soon to stores near you! Get ready to join Yankel the Miser on another wild, fun-filled and suspenseful adventure!

(Originally featured in Mishpacha Jr., Issue 850)