Fourth-graders read 'The Black Stallion,' see a horse show

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Thousands of fourth-graders read "The Black Stallion," Walter Farley's classic 1941 novel, in school through the Black Stallion Literacy Foundation, as Ron Wolfe writes in Wednesday's Family section. About 6,000 fourth-graders are gathered at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock on a recent Monday morning to see a horse show, their reward for being part of the reading program.

They arrive in a herd of yellow school buses from Little Rock, Hot Springs, Greenbrier, Des Arc, Bryant - many of them clutching their copies of "The Black Stallion." The book's cover shows the black horse dramatically against a streaked red sky.

Typical Arkansas boy, red-haired Noah Stewart, 10, is happy to tell why the book is important.

"Walter Farley always dreamed of riding a horse," Noah says. "All of a sudden, he started riding his own imaginary horse. And it turned out to be a big accomplishment."

Noah's report isn't quite the foundation's official history, but close enough. "Imagination can help you reach to the heavens," Farley said.

Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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