Long ago, there was a town in Italy called Atri. Because the people desired harmony and justice, they hung a large bellin the center of the town. The people said, “Anyone who has been wronged can ring the bell. We will all gather and settle the dispute.”
Years passed, and no one rang the bell. Perhaps just seeing the bell in the square caused the citizens to deal fairly with each other. The rope of the bell hung to the ground;
over time, a grape vine twined around it.
During those years, a knight returned to Atri from foreign wars. He rode into town
on his strong and beautiful horse. He told everyone of the battles. “The only reason I am
alive is because this swift steed carried me safely out of danger. I will be grateful all of her days,” he told the people.
The knight returned to his farm and put away his sword and armor. He put his beloved horse in a warm stall. “I promise you, my brave friend, you will always have a bed and a bucket of oats.” But the horse had been exhausted and chilled in the battles and began to decline in health. At first, the knight took tender care of his animal.
Slowly, the knight forgot about his battles; he became just a busy farmer tending his stock and tilling the soil. The once brave and beautiful horse was now frail and weak. “You eat too much and you take up too much space,” the master said. Finally, one day, he said, “You are useless.” He felt justified in taking the old horse out of the stable, taking off her bridle, and driving her off with a stick.
The old horse was confused. She stood outside the gate with her head hung down. Night fell and the wind and snow came. The horse began to stumble around to find shelter and food. In her blind search, she walked toward town. By dawn, the horse was standing in the village square. She came upon the rope of the bell which hung to the ground. She began to nibble on the vine encircling the rope. The bell began to ring.
The people poured into the street. “Who calls for justice?” they asked. Everyone knew the knight’s horse. They saw her; thin and covered with snow. But they remembered her hour of glory when her master had promised gratitude. “She has a right to ring the bell and demand justice,” the people agreed.
The knight was called before the town to explain his cruel behavior; he had no explanation. He was ordered to take care of his horse and treat her with loving kindness for all of her days. The faithful horse was led home to a warm stall and a bucket of oats.