Iona, a sledge-driver, whose sledge is driven by his skinny mare with stick-like legs, is out in a snow stormwith her.

They don’t get many clients and people are unkind to Iona.

He is in great misery since his son has just died and he feels a great need to talk about him and how he died, since that would relieve his pain somewhat.

But no-one will listen, no-one has empathy.

Iona doesn’t even get paid properly for his services.

He hasn’t earned enough and can’t buy oats for his mare.

He eventually gives up and goes home, and tells the mare in the stable all about it instead.

The wonderful little mare munches its hay, listens and “breathes on his master’s hands”.

The story is thus about man’s inhumanity to man.

We know that dogs are more loving than humans, and apparently horses are too.

The mare is more empathic than all Iona’s clients/fares and thus helps to relieve her master’s pain.

Perhaps the story will help inspire some of its readers themselves to be more empathic and become better listeners. ( )