Four stumpy legs protruded from an enormous belly that swung from side to side proudly as Bessie strutted through down the alley way. Her rich golden brown coat glowed in the dying light. It was late, but red streaks still illuminated the sky, dancing across the heavens as if they were fighting against the sands of inevitability, willing to stay in the sky and admire this marvelous creature. A light wind brushed against Bessie’s side, tickling her and revealing a set of blinding white teeth so dazzling that the old dilapidated houses creaked in a staccato symphony of amazement. The sound of her four perfectly shaped hooves gliding gracefully over the ground echoed throughout the clear evening. Even the wind had held his breath. Night, finally overpowering the futile efforts of day, sent out his minions to twinkle and shine in the night sky. Humming happily, Bessie shook her magnificent mane. It twirled in the starlight and the protruding ribbons attached to her hair followed the flying circus happily. This was the first peaceful night Eatonville had had in a while. Despite Autumn dominating the town in her mature middle age, there was no crunch of leaves that would invade Bessie’s thoughts every day. There were no annoying bees that would swarm her as if she were nothing but a stick of honey. There were no humans. Bessie shuddered to even think of the word. This was the best time to come out and do her business. This time was her friend. Nothing would disrupt her peaceful mindset. Even though the humans fed her, Bessie could see the look of contempt in their eyes every time they saw her. Who did they think she was, an animal? God created her in His image. The humans were just unfortunate beings who were created simply to serve the dominant species: the mule. How could it be possible that she was considered below them? Those barbaric beasts, Bessie thought, do not deserve to live. One day, she vowed, she would take control of a new kingdom; a righteous kingdom that would prosper for generations to come. These were the thoughts that chased each other in Bessie’s mind every single night. And every single night, Bessie would come to the same conclusion: she would create this kingdom tomorrow. And on that happy thought, Bessie, trying hard not to scratch her hooves on the worn concrete, made her way steadily back to her bed.

Lurking in the gloom, Jeff stared at the place where Bessie had melted into the darkness. Did the Lord ever create such a perfect shape? Jeff looked disgustedly at his own four skinny legs and ribcage. Ominous shadows loomed over him, extending their long claws menacingly towards his throat. Jeff gulped. Now that Bessie was gone, it seemed as though the temperature had suddenly plummeted. The icy wind raked Jeff’s weak soul and racked his fragile frame. Teeth chattering, Jeff turned and fled. No matter how fast his pathetic bony legs carried him, the evil moon still loomed overhead, laughing wickedly as she sent her servants to chase after him. Jeff’s heart was beating so fast that he was afraid he might wake up the town. How had he managed to remain calm in such a destructive environment when Bessie was there, but as soon as she left, his hollow chest began to cry out instinctively? He hated the dark. There was no telling what terrors lurked behind the curtains of night. Perhaps a human. Jeff shuddered. He would rather be here than with his owner. Indeed, that was the reason he had starved himself to the point of death: to escape work. After a while, he had realized that his life was pointless. His creation, it seemed, was solely to aid superior individuals in the backbreaking tasks that they were too lazy to do. Jeff had given up hope and as he lay in his barn, refusing to eat although he was starving, he glimpsed Bessie strutting confidently through the street. Immediately, a renewed power had run through his veins and filled his whole body with a floating sensation. Jeff would never forget that look of disgust on Bessie’s face when she had first seen him. Was he really that repulsive? Jeff looked down but all he saw was black. It was as if the night did not want to upset him with the horrendous sight of his pathetic limbs. Jeff sighed. He would never be good enough for Bessie. Nevertheless, Jeff the mule made a vow that day: he would at least get on friendly terms with the attractive female. Jeff was so determined that not even the presence of fate could quench the spark that had ignited in his heart.
When morning rose from her warm haven in the east, Jeff had already devoured two days worth of hay. He lay on the floor, uncomfortably rubbing the bulge on his stomach. The feeling was sickening. Mother Nature had not intended to have a single individual consume so much food in one meal. Yet, if this was what it took to attract the attention of Bessie, Jeff thought, then this nauseating dizziness was worth it. Lying on his back, Jeff lifted up his hooves into the air and examined them. He would work extra hard today just so he could build up some muscle and impress her. Jeff stood up on all fours and confidently strode out of his barn with his nose in the air and tail shaking impressively. For once, he was actually looking forward to work. It might be backbreaking and exhausting, but Jeff had just realized that he could take his situation and use it to his benefit. Today’s unusually hot weather did not even faze him. He smiled and imagined the fresh dew soaked grass stunned into silence by his charm.
Jeff hated work. Four hours after he had so diligently and happily begun to plow the fields, he laid spread eagled on the baking ground. Eyes closed, Jeff pulled himself across his stomach towards the cool haven of the barn. His ribs felt like they would crack under the immense pressure of an overstrained beast, thrashing and writhing around in agony. A flame had ignited itself within the tissues of his muscles and greedily gnawed at the vital filaments of life. The sun had melted away the defenses and allowed invaders to seize the control center. Demonic white clouds laughed at this pitiful creature lying pathetically on the grass and floated away from the evil gaze of the overlord of life, the great ball of fire in the sky, whose nod of thanks was returned with a whisper. Jeff lifted his heavy eyelids slightly and attempted to fight off the relentless beams of cruelty. It was no use though. His throat was on fire and he knew that he was not far from the icy hands of death, not far from salvation from this realm of hell he had been enslaved in. Jeff prepared to close his eyes for the last time.
Jeff’s eyes flew open. There was Bessie only a few hundred meters away from where he lay. All the discomfort and pessimistic contemplations of death vanished in that instant and were replaced instead by adrenaline and nervousness. Bessie hadn’t spotted him yet and he crept steadily forward, trying to cushion every footfall on the boiling tarmac. But it was no longer boiling. Jeff did not care. His eyes were set on their target and nothing could distract them. Bessie shook her long shaggy hair, which swished in the sun and reflected its golden beam perfectly. She was with another animal. Jeff squinted. He could not believe it. Bessie with a dog? It felt as if a rock had lodged itself into Jeff’s throat and he swallowed it uncomfortably. They were talking, and laughing. A ball of anger that had been encaged for so long freed itself from bondage. Just as Jeff was about to reveal himself, he saw a woman. A human woman, feeding them scraps of food. Jeff could just about hear the woman (just made out her name: Rose) laughing and whispering. Jeff strained to hear but it was impossible. And then he gave up. He would never be good enough to be fed by Rose. He would never be good enough to catch Bessie’s attention. He would never be good enough for this world. Depression and the ugly truth carved a hole into Jeff’s heart that could never again be filled. He watched forlornly for another five minutes as Bessie and her friend munched greedily on bones and strawberries. Jeff touched his face and found a river flowing out from his eyes. He didn’t even have the strength to wipe it away. Jeff turned to leave. What was the point of life now? There was absolutely no meaning. Did God design him to be miserable and work to death in anguish? It was as if-

A fresh stack of hay fell before Jeff’s eyes. Wrapped up with ropes, it shined more brightly than anything in the sky. Even the envious sun looked away in shame. Perfectly straight rows of edible gold were stacked neatly on top of each other. Jeff’s mouth fell open and turned around. Although in grime covered overalls, Rose Anderson was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. She lit up the universe with her smile. Standing behind were Bessie and the dog surveying him curiously, perhaps even with a hint of jealousy. Jeff smiled. He felt reborn.