"The horse is of no use for riding yet, Edgar," said his mother.
"Why?" asked Edgar.
"Because he has not yet learnt to obey a rider," replied she; "the horse has to wear bit and bridle before he can be of use, and to learn by them to be controlled. A horse that could not be managed would run away with you, just as poor Henry's temper ran away with him ([Story Lesson 72])."
Bad tempers and bad habits are like wild horses: they take us where they will, and get us into sad trouble if we do not bridle them, so we must take care not to let the temper be master, but bridle it just as the horse-trainer bridles the horse.
"I should think the horse does not like the bit and bridle at first," said Edgar.
"Very likely not," replied his mother; "but he would not be the useful, patient animal that he is if he did not submit."
(Blackboard.)
Horse has to be Held in by Bit and Bridle.
We Must Bridle Temper and Bad Habit.