Black Beauty
In the morning a smart-looking young man came for me. At first he looked pleased; but when he saw my knees he said in a disappointed voice:
“I didn't think, sir, you would have recommended my ladies a blemished horse like that.”
“'Handsome is that handsome does',” said my master; “you are only taking him on trial, and I am sure you will do fairly by him, young man. If he is not as safe as any horse you ever drove send him back.”
I was led to my new home, placed in a comfortable stable, fed, and left to myself. The next day, when the groom was cleaning my face, he said:
“That is just like the star that 'Black Beauty' had; he is much the same height, too. I wonder where he is now.”
A little further on he came to the place in my neck where I was bled and where a little knot was left in the skin. He almost started, and began to look me over carefully, talking to himself.
“White star in the forehead, one white foot on the off side, this little knot just in that place;” then looking at the middle of my back—“and, as I am alive, there is that little patch of white hair that John used to call 'Beauty's three-penny bit'. It must be 'Black Beauty'! Why, Beauty! Beauty! do you know me?—little Joe Green, that almost killed you?” And he began patting and patting me as if he was quite overjoyed.
I could not say that I remembered him, for now he was a fine grown young fellow, with black whiskers and a man's voice, but I was sure he knew me, and that he was Joe Green, and I was very glad. I put my nose up to him, and tried to say that we were friends. I never saw a man so pleased.
Read the extract above carefully, then answer the following question:
Question: What does the groom initially mean by calling Black Beauty "blemished," and how does Black Beauty's master challenge this initial judgment?
💡 Writing Tips
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First, find where the word "blemished" is used in the text. Look at the sentence surrounding it to understand the context. Then, locate the master's response to the groom. Pay attention to his specific words and the argument he makes against the groom's quick judgment.
📝 Sample Answer
The groom initially refers to Black Beauty as "blemished" because he sees the scars on Black Beauty's knees, which are a visible imperfection from an old injury. He assumes these scars make the horse less valuable or reliable. Black Beauty's master challenges this judgment by quoting the proverb, "'Handsome is that handsome does'." This means that a horse's true worth should be judged by its actions and performance, rather than its outward appearance or past injuries. He offers Black Beauty on trial, suggesting that if the horse is not "as safe as any horse you ever drove," then it can be returned, emphasizing that safety and capability are more important than superficial flaws.
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