Q: What interrupted the peaceful afternoon in the village?
The ringing of the bell interrupted the peaceful afternoon in the village.
Q: What did the villagers find when they rushed to the town square?
They found a poor old horse, lame and bony, nearly blind, trying to eat the hay that hung from the bell rope, and ringing the bell in the process.
Q: Who owned the horse, and where did he live?
The horse belonged to the miserly man who lived in the mansion beyond the olive grove above town.
Q: Who did the horse belong to, and why was he in the town square?
The horse belonged to an old soldier who lived on the hill. He was in the town square because he had come there looking for food and was trying to eat the hay that hung from the bell rope, in the process ringing the bell.
Q: What did the judges order the old soldier to do for the horse?
The judges ordered the old soldier to spend half his money to pay for the horse’s food and shelter, provide him a large green pasture to graze in, keep him in a large, warm stall at night, and not forget to include hay.
