Once upon a time in a faraway land, there was a magical horse named Stardust. This horse had shimmering silver fur that sparkled in the sunlight and a long, flowing mane that glistened like gold. Stardust possessed the ability to grant wishes to anyone who rode upon his back. Many people from all over the kingdom would come to see Stardust and experience his magical powers. They would gather in the fields near the enchanted forest, where Stardust would make his appearance at the stroke of midnight. It was said that only those with pure hearts and noble intentions could ride the magnificent horse.
Review Quotes
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. 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.
It was said that only those with pure hearts and noble intentions could ride the magnificent horse. One day, a young orphan girl named Lily came to the kingdom. She had heard stories about Stardust and the miracles he could perform.
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.)
Lily had lost her family and was determined to find the magical horse, hoping that he would grant her the wish to be reunited with her loved ones. Setting out on a quest, Lily embarked on a journey through the mystical forest. She encountered many challenges and obstacles along the way, but her determination never wavered. Finally, after days of searching, Lily found herself at the edge of a sparkling lake, where a silver silhouette appeared in the distance. It was Stardust, the magical horse, approaching her with grace and elegance. Excitement filled Lily's heart as she approached Stardust, hoping that he would grant her wish. With a leap of faith, Lily climbed onto Stardust's back, feeling an immediate warmth and connection. As they journeyed through the forest, Stardust and Lily bonded deeply. They encountered mythical creatures, solved puzzles, and overcame obstacles together. Along the way, Lily realized that her true wish was not just to be reunited with her family, but to bring happiness and peace to all those in need. One fateful night, under a sky filled with stars, Lily dismounted Stardust and whispered her wish into his ears. Instantly, the magical horse began to glow, his brilliance lighting up the night. Stardust's powers surged through Lily, filling her with a newfound sense of purpose and strength. From that day forward, Lily dedicated her life to helping others. Using her newfound magic and the lessons she had learned from Stardust, she brought joy and happiness to those she encountered. The once lonely orphan became a beloved figure in the kingdom, known for her selflessness and bravery. Stardust, the magical horse, continued to grant wishes to those in need, accompanied by Lily on their noble adventures. Together, they continued to spread hope and love throughout the kingdom, reminding everyone of the power of dreams and the magic that lies within each of us..
Reviews for "The Artistic Representation of the Magic Horse in Painting and Sculpture"
1) John Smith - 1 star
I found "The Magic Horse" to be incredibly boring. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and did not evoke any emotion or connection. The writing style was dull and did not engage me as a reader. Overall, I found the book to be a complete waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone.
2) Sarah Johnson - 2 stars
"The Magic Horse" was a disappointment for me. The story had potential but the execution fell flat. The pacing was off, with slow parts dragging on and important moments rushed through. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to believe in the interactions between the characters. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving many loose ends. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations.
3) David Thompson - 2.5 stars
I have to admit, I was not impressed with "The Magic Horse." The writing was average at best, with awkward phrasing and inconsistent tone throughout the book. The plot had potential, but it was poorly developed and lacked depth. The characters felt like clichés and their motivations were unclear. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and forgettable. I personally would not recommend it to others.