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Texas Reading Club Manual 181
HORSE: (takes a bite) Yuck! That doesn’t taste anything like the delicious green grass down by
the lake. I don’t think I would like that. Do I have to eat that to be a good athlete?
BOY: Well, I guess not. There are other things. Let’s see. Here, try this. (hands him bread) This
is what I had for lunch. It’s a delicious sandwich of cheese and bread.
HORSE: This bread is not too bad, but I like my grains to taste a little more flavorful. Is there
anything else?
BOY: Hmm, maybe you would like what I had for breakfast. It is very flavorful. (hands horse
some bacon) It’s called bacon.
HORSE: (sniffs bacon) Wait a minute. I don’t think horses eat bacon. Besides, it reminds me of
a pink friend of mine. No, I don’t think any of this food will work at all. Do I have to eat all of
that to be in good shape?
BOY: No. I guess you could just eat your hay and grass, if that fills you up. Because you don’t
want to go to bed hungry, or you won’t sleep well. And, if you don’t sleep well you won’t have
enough energy to run well. In fact, it is time for bed now. Let’s get ready. Here is your soap and
towel. (Boy hands soap and towel to Horse)
HORSE: Soap and towel? What do I do with these?
BOY: Why, take a bath of course!
HORSE: Take a bath? I don’t like to take baths. I get all cold and wet. You mean I have to take
a bath to be a good athlete?
BOY: Well, it’s just that, after a good workout, you get kind of smelly, so a bath is a pretty good
thing. But, I guess we could skip that for this one night. However, it’s time for bed now. Hop in!
(Boy walks over to his bed and sits on it)
HORSE: That little box is a bed? I can’t sleep there; I’m much too big! Oh dear, I don’t think I
would make a good athlete. I don’t like people food, I don’t like people baths, and I don’t like
people beds!
BOY: How disappointing for you, Horse. Wait a minute, Horse! You don’t need to be a human
to be an athlete.
HORSE: I don’t?
BOY: No, you can still run in a race. A horse race! There’s a big race called the Kentucky
Derby. You’ll still have to get in shape but you can eat hay or oats, and sleep in a stall.
HORSE: That sounds like the life for me. Well, I’ll see you in the morning! Good night.
BOY: Good night, horse. Sleep well.