On the day of my husband’s funeral, his horse broke the lid of the coffin. Everyone thought it had gone mad from grief, but what those present saw inside shocked them all.
It was my husband’s funeral day. We had lived together for over twenty years, and almost all that time Astoria — a horse he once saved — was by his side.
Since that day, they were inseparable, like two old friends who understand each other without words.
The procession slowly moved toward the cemetery. I walked behind the coffin, clutching my handkerchief so tightly my fingers turned white. I barely saw faces — only the wet asphalt and slow steps ahead.
Suddenly, behind me came the sound of hoofbeats. It grew louder every second until it cut through the mourning silence. People began to turn around.
It was Astoria. Her eyes were burning, her breath steaming in clouds. She ran straight toward us, ignoring the cries.
