Kicking A Live Horse

I climbed up Mt. Ping-as last Saturday, and had to come down via the Inumpog route. Unfortunately, there was a horse blocking the trail, blissfully munching on some grass. After a few hoots and ssssuuuttt's from some of the trekkers, the horse moved.

Great. Although it no longer blocked the path, its hindlegs were right beside the path.

I was scared to walk through because I was worried about getting kicked. Besides, the horse seemed to glare at me.

So I waited... just like the other adults.

After a few seconds, two kids approached us from the other side of the path. We warned them to watch out for the horse's legs.

The kids froze. And we all just stared. Tugging at the horse's rope didn't work. We just helplessly watched it munch and spew some yellow liquid right on our path.

Soon, an older brother of the two kids arrived and asked them why they were just standing there.

"Baka masipa kami nung kabayo!" (We might get kicked by the horse.)

"Lumakad na kayo. Di kayo masisipa..." (Just walk on. You won't get kicked...)
"...at kung masipa kayo, eh di sipain nyo rin!" (...and if you do get kicked, just kick the horse back!)

The kids passed, then the rest of us scaredy-cat adults did the same. The horse just munched away. Funny, it seemd to wink at me.

It's strange how we sometimes stop in our tracks on our way to some goal because of some fear or uncertainty. True, getting kicked by a horse can land you in a hospital, if not a few meters to the right depending on how strong the kick is.

But if you don't act, nothing will happen. You'll just stand and watch some yellow urine creep towards your feet under the noonday sun.

So go and forge on ahead. And if life kicks you, then give it a swift snap kick right in its gut.

[ First posted on 05/28/2002 by Manuel Viloria ]