The Tale of Lady Hoofwise

To explain to the reader how my life became that of Lady Hoofwise? Difficult, to say the least. But I shall give it a try. I suppose, as with all tales, we should start at the beginning.

I was born to a family not unlike any other. We were not unique or wealthy, we lived within our means, as do so many others. My father was a scribe; he would work long hours copying documents from dawn till dusk. Whereas, my mother looked after us;if dumping us all in a communal play area counted as such. But,that is irrelevant.

Father wanted the best for us, he taught us letters, and forced us to absorb countless volumes on various subjects: The arts, the sciences, anything that would give us an edge in schooling.  I didn't appreciate it much then; what foal would? Yet now, I bless the old stallion  with all my heart...for that at least.

That was my life, from as soon as I was able to talk, my siblings too, but they were never treated as I was. To my parents, I was their 'Star', their lucky break. I was going to rise high and pluck them from the abject squalor we lived in : so they told me, night after night, day after day. Until the moment arrived.

For most young fillies and colts, the discovery of their special talent prompts great celebration and joy. Not mine. I was performing in the annual school play; I must've been ten or eleven? Anyway, I had drawn the lead villain; a simple role to say the least.

"Act evil." had been the masterful instruction. So, I did. I turned myself 'into' the character as it were; delivering an inspired speech before being slain! The applause! It was sweet music to my ears. The other parents grinned widely, clapping as if they meant it, over the usual, dutiful sound.  My parents however, were not even there.

You see, to my parents, acting was a hobby; an indulgence that we would pursue alongside our glittering careers and nothing more. When they found out that I'd got the part, they'd smiled in that way parents do. "That's nice" They had chimed and never thought of it again.

When we returned to 'the dressing room'; the area furthest from the curtain, I felt the tingle. I had ignored it at first, so caught up in the grins of my classmates and that of the usually morose teacher. It became more insistent. Taking off my costume, I saw my brand; in the shape of a mask, with a shadowed face behind it. Naturally, this prompted a whole new round of cheers. I distinctly remember the feeling of dread that accompanied the discovery, yet I managed to return the smiles and appear jubilant.

Then came the journey home. I didn't live far away from the schoolhouse, but every step closer I made that night seemed to take an eternity; my leaden limbs protesting, while my heart fluttered. I cried bitter tears.

"They're going to be so mad at me!" I had wailed.

Unbidden, memories had invaded my troubled mind. One of being sat with father at his desk.

"My little Star." He had said fondly;

"You've done so well. I can't wait to see what you become: Some great scholar or theorist,  perhaps, a great designer... a  businessmare!" He'd cried! I had giggled and stared up into that spectacled face.

"I will Daddy. Just you wait."

Thus, I cried all the more and contemplated running away. But, I didn't; I walked into the house and broke down in the doorway. My parents had come rushing over; worry etched on their faces. "Please, don't be mad." I had whimpered.

They brought me inside, soothed me with comforting words, not yet having noticed. Once I had mastered myself, I had shown them; looking away, shamefaced..

They were silent for a long time. That silence! It had cut to my very core. I turned to face them, my father's face blank and my mother's, so telling... I burst into tears anew. My father had walked over and hugged me. I cried into his chest.

"I'm sorry!, I'm sorry!"

He replied;

"There's no need to be sad. You've found your special talent! We need to celebrate."

He had smiled so convincingly, I believed he truly meant it.

The liar!

It didn't take long for me to notice the change. My parents no longer doted on me, as they used to. I was no longer, 'their star' I was called by my birth name, 'Hope'; that must've twisted the knife all the further for them. I continued as before, but now, high marks no longer satisfied them. They managed a murmur of hollow congratulation; then turned their faces to my siblings.

I had become the black sheep, the outcast. My whole future had crumbled to dust in their eyes, all because of that one moment. I cried myself to sleep, trying anything to remove this foul blemish. Of course, nothing worked. It continued like this for many a year, until something clicked; I made the realisation that my mark, was an expression of me. That is to say, it showed my desire, my passion. Trying to change who I was would achieve nothing.

  So, I set about my tasks with a new energy, daring my parents to question. They did not; they simply ignored it and averted their eyes. Incensed, I confronted them;just as the Circus came into town. It makes me laugh now, how that day changed my life.I had no idea what would come of it, at the time I didn't care. I had my heart set on showing them all that I would become great, and I certainly did. The famous Lady Hoofwise, a character that became real.

What was that phrase again? "All the world's a stage." Truer words were never spoken.