A delightful character, the pony named Merrylegs is, like
most ponies, very clever. When the Vicar Blomefield's children visit along with their
father, it is Merrylegs who is called upon to entertain them. Round and round they are
all ride up and down the fields and all around the orchard. After a couple of hours,
the boys think that they should ride Merrylegs and fashion whips out of large hazel
sticks to make him go as fast as possible. However, little Merrylegs is too smart to
allow them to abuse him. So, when they whip him, he simply rears up and they slide off
his back.
When he is returned to the stable, his handler
James scolds him, "There, you rogue, mind you behave yourself, or we shall get in
trouble." So, when Beauty asks him what has happened, Merrylegs explains. The pony is
yet another character who illustrates the intelligence of horses and how important it is
to treat animals humanely.
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