Black Beauty, 09 Merrylegs summary
09 Merrylegs of 49 · 4 min to read the chapter
In 09 Merrylegs, Merrylegs explains how he stops two boys from overworking and whipping him by letting them slide off his back. He rejects Ginger’s suggestion of kicking them, linking his gentle conduct to his responsibility for children, his kind home, and his fear of being sold.
What happens
- The Blomefield children visit Miss Jessie and Flora and spend hours riding Merrylegs.
- James brings Merrylegs inside and warns him about his behavior.
- Merrylegs tells the narrator that two boys keep riding and striking him after he signals his tiredness.
- He repeatedly lets the boys slip backward onto the grass until they understand his limits.
- Ginger recommends kicking, but Merrylegs insists that the children remain his responsibility.
- Merrylegs credits his kind home for his good temper and fears that violence could lead to sale and harsh work.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Merrylegs links humane treatment with good behavior. This explains his loyalty and his refusal to answer the boys’ roughness with kicks.
Quick check
Why does Merrylegs let the boys slip off his back?
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