The magic horse is a fascinating creature that captivates the imagination of many people. It is often depicted as a majestic and powerful being with extraordinary abilities. Legends and myths from various cultures around the world feature stories of these enchanting creatures. One of the most famous mythological horses is Pegasus, a winged horse from Greek mythology. Pegasus is known for his speed and ability to fly. He is often associated with poets and is said to have created the fountain of Hippocrene by striking the ground with his hoof.
The Sultan agreed. As soon as the prince entered her room, she began to rave at him in her usual furious manner, at which point he held her wrists and whispered urgently, "I am Darius, your beloved."
The father rejoiced at the son s return, and immediately ordered a wedding celebration with the greatest splendor that had ever been seen in that land. I guess I feel like if forced, I could write an essay explaining all the small lessons, and moral guidance, but as a children s book, I don t want to dig so deep or spend hours at bed time trying to convince my children that the story made sense.
He is often associated with poets and is said to have created the fountain of Hippocrene by striking the ground with his hoof. In Norse mythology, there is Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse ridden by the god Odin. Sleipnir is known for his incredible speed and strength and is often portrayed as the steed of the gods.
The Magic Horse - (Teaching Stories) by Idries Shah (Paperback)
Everyone thinks Prince Tambal is only a dreamer. When a woodcarver makes a wooden horse that seems just a toy, Tambal discovers it can go wherever its rider wants. In this way, he learns many things and finds his heart's desire.
Book Synopsis
(Bilingual English-Urdu edition) This is the story of two brothers: one skilled in the practical arts and the other, Prince Tambal, considered by most people to be only a dreamer. Their father, the king, announces a competition to produce "interesting and useful devices." The entry produced by a woodcarver appears to be only a simple wooden horse of little value, but when Tambal looks more closely, he discovers that it's able to magically travel to whatever place is in its rider's mind. With the help of this magic horse, Tambal comes to learn a great many things and, eventually, to know his heart's desire. Julie Freeman's beautiful illustrations capture the magic of this tale, with the images and text inset in rich borders of oriental patterns. The Magic Horse is one of an illustrated series of Sufi teaching stories from the Middle East and Central Asia that were collected and adapted for children by Idries Shah, and that have captivated hearts and minds for more than a thousand years. The stories are designed to help children learn to examine their assumptions and to think for themselves. In the Sufi tradition, there is a continuum between the children's story, the entertainment or folklore story and the instructional or instrumental story. A story can help children deal with difficult situations and give them something to hold on to, but it can also stimulate a deeper understanding in adults. Through the instrumental function of this rich body of material, readers of all ages can learn to develop the capacity to be more flexible and to understand many more things about themselves and about life.
Review Quotes
"The tale of the two brothers and their journeys is illustrated with jewel-toned, delicate paintings featuring the costumes, tools, buildings, and animals of the Moslem East. . The two brothers do not represent good and evil as happens so often in Western tales, but instead merely the choice of two different paths." - School Library Journal (U.S.)
". beautifully illustrated by Julie Freeman, who perfectly captures the magic of this ancient Sufi folk tale." - Midwest Book Review (U.S.)
"These teaching stories can be experienced on many levels. A child may simply enjoy hearing them; an adult may analyze them in a more sophisticated way. Both may eventually benefit from the lessons within." - "All Things Considered," National Public Radio (U.S.)
"They [teaching stories] suggest ways of looking at difficulties that can help children solve problems calmly while, at the same time, giving them fresh perspectives on these difficulties that help them develop their cognitive abilities" - psychologist Robert Ornstein, Ph.D., in his lecture "Teaching Stories and the Brain" given at the U.S. Library of Congress
"Through repeated readings, these stories provoke fresh insight and more flexible thought in children. Beautifully illustrated." - NEA Today: The Magazine of the National Education Association (U.S.)
"Shah's versatile and multilayered tales provoke fresh insight and more flexible thought in children." - Bookbird: A Journal of International Children's Literature
"These stories . are not moralistic fables or parables, which aim to indoctrinate, nor are they written only to amuse. Rather, they are carefully designed to show effective ways of defining and responding to common life experiences." - Denise Nessel, Ph.D., Senior Consultant with the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education (U.S.), writing in Library Media Connection: The Professional Magazine for School Library Media Specialists (U.S.)
"These enchanting stories Shah has collected have a richness and depth not often encountered in children's literature, and their effect on minds young and old can be almost magical." - Multicultural Perspectives: An Official Journal of the National Association for Multicultural Education (U.S.)
"Shah has collected hundreds of Sufi tales, many of which are teaching tales or instructional stories. In this tradition, the line between stories for children and those for adults is not as clear as it seems to be in Western cultures, and the lessons are important for all generations." - School Library Journal (U.S.)
". these are vibrant, engaging, universal stories. " - Multicultural Perspectives: An Official Journal of the National Association for Multicultural Education (U.S.)
". a series of children's books that have captivated the hearts and minds of people from all walks of life. The books are tales from a rich tradition of story telling from Central Asia and the Middle East. Stories told and retold to children, by campfire and candlelight, for more than a thousand years." - NEA Today: The Magazine of the National Education Association (U.S.)
In Eastern culture, the celestial horse is a symbol of luck and fortune. It is believed to bring good fortune to those who possess it. These horses are said to have the ability to fly and possess magical powers. The magic horse is also a common theme in fairy tales and fantasy literature. These horses often serve as loyal companions to the main characters and help them on their quests and adventures. They are portrayed as wise and noble creatures, guiding the heroes towards their destinies. In popular culture, the magic horse has made appearances in movies, TV shows, and books. One notable example is the character of Maximus from Disney's animated film "Tangled." Maximus is a loyal and heroic horse with a strong sense of justice. Overall, the magic horse is a mystical and captivating creature that has captured the imagination of people throughout history. Whether in mythology, fairy tales, or modern media, the magic horse continues to be a beloved and iconic symbol of power, wisdom, and adventure..
Reviews for "The Magic Horse and Its Connection to Other Mythical Creatures"
- Sarah - 1 star - The Magic Horse was such a disappointing read. The characters were shallow and unlikable, and the plot was predictable and cliché. I found myself rolling my eyes at the overly simplistic dialogue and the lackluster descriptions. Overall, I couldn't connect with the story and was left feeling unsatisfied.
- John - 2 stars - I had high hopes for The Magic Horse, but it fell flat for me. The writing style was dull and lacked any sort of depth. The pacing was off, making the story drag on unnecessarily. The concept had potential, but it was poorly executed. I struggled to stay engaged and ultimately felt let down by the lack of innovation and creativity.
- Emily - 2.5 stars - The Magic Horse was an average read for me. While the story had some interesting elements, it lacked the captivating and compelling storytelling I was hoping for. The characters felt underdeveloped, and the plot twists were too predictable. There were moments where I thought the story had potential, but it never fully delivered. It's not a terrible book, but it definitely didn't live up to my expectations.