Ferdinand: the gentle bull

In a large, green meadow near a busy ranch lived a bull named Ferdinand. Unlike the other bulls, who loved to fight and show off, Ferdinand was different. He had a kind heart and loved flowers. While the other bulls were busy brawling and kicking up dust, Ferdinand lay under the cork trees, smelling the flowers and dreaming of peaceful places.

One sunny morning, while the other bulls were sparring, Ferdinand wandered off to a quiet part of the meadow where wildflowers grew everywhere. The bright reds, yellows, and purples danced in the wind, and Ferdinand felt pure joy as he breathed in their sweet smell. He often wondered why he, a bull, found comfort in such delicate things, but he didn’t mind being different.

The ranchers, however, had other plans. They needed a champion bull for the big bullfight in Madrid and thought one of their aggressive bulls would be perfect. But fate had different ideas.

One afternoon, some well-dressed men came to the ranch to pick a bull for the event. They walked past the other bulls showing off their strength. Ferdinand, not interested in the fuss, was resting under his favorite cork tree, wearing a crown of daisies. One of the men saw Ferdinand and pointed him out. Impressed by his size and calm confidence, they decided Ferdinand would be their champion.

The ranchers were surprised but agreed, and Ferdinand was led away. As he left the meadow, he took one last look at his beloved flowers, feeling a pang of sadness.

Days went by, and Ferdinand found himself in the busy city of Madrid. The noise and chaos were too much for a bull who loved peace and quiet. He was kept in a small pen, far from the tranquility of his meadow. Every day, he closed his eyes and imagined the scent of the flowers, the rustling leaves, and the gentle breeze that once made him happy.

The day of the bullfight arrived, and the arena buzzed with excitement. The stands were full of people eager to see the fierce bull facing the matador. But Ferdinand was not fierce. He was gentle and had no interest in fighting.

As the gates opened, Ferdinand walked into the arena. The crowd roared, expecting a show of power and aggression. But Ferdinand just stood there, looking around. The bright sunlight, the cheering people, and the unfamiliar place were too much for him. Then, he saw a small patch of flowers by the edge of the ring. His heart filled with joy.

Ignoring the shouts and jeers, Ferdinand walked over to the flowers and started sniffing them, his eyes half-closed in bliss. The crowd went silent, confused by his behavior. The matador, dressed in a fancy costume, approached Ferdinand cautiously, unsure of what to do. He waved his red cape, but Ferdinand didn’t react. He was lost in the scent of the flowers, thinking of his meadow.

The audience began to murmur, and soon their confusion turned to admiration. They realized Ferdinand was special. The matador, sensing the crowd’s change in mood, lowered his cape and stepped back, also touched by Ferdinand’s gentle nature.

The bullfight ended not with a battle, but with a display of peace. The people of Madrid were moved by Ferdinand’s kind soul, and they applauded him as he was led out of the arena. Word of the gentle bull who loved flowers spread quickly, and soon everyone in the city knew about Ferdinand.

The ranchers, realizing that Ferdinand would never be happy as a fighting bull, decided to let him go. They took him back to his beloved meadow, where the wildflowers grew and the cork trees gave shade. Ferdinand’s heart swelled with joy as he returned to the place he loved most.

From then on, Ferdinand lived a peaceful life, surrounded by the flowers he adored. He became a legend, known as the bull who chose beauty over battle. In the meadow, under the shade of the cork trees, he found true happiness. The other bulls, seeing his contentment, began to appreciate the flowers too, and the meadow became a peaceful place for all.

Ferdinand’s story spread far and wide, teaching people that true strength lies in gentleness and that happiness can be found in the simplest things. The gentle bull who loved flowers became a symbol of peace and tranquility, cherished by all who heard his tale.