"Godfather, please give me a colt. You have so many. You will never miss one."
Rodrigo de Bivar (rō̍-drē´gō de bevär´) stood in the paddock beside his godfather, Don Pedro, a priest of Burgos (bo͞or´gōs). They were watching the horses, mares, and their colts running wild. How free and beautiful they were, with their lovely manes flowing in the breeze!
"You may choose the best for yourself, godson," said Don Pedro.
Young Rodrigo's keen eyes followed each graceful young horse as it passed. But he said nothing. He said nothing until an ugly, shaggy little animal came by.
Then he cried out, "This is the one I want, godfather!"
His godfather gave him a look of disgust.
"Babieca! (babie´ca) (Foolish one!)" he scolded. "This is indeed a stupid choice!"
| ST. TERESA CONVENT, AVILA |
Rodrigo was not dismayed. Smiling, he said, "Babieca shall be my horse's name!"
It was this same Babieca, or Booby, who carried Rodrigo de Bivar through his many famous battles. It was Babieca, too, who is supposed to have wept over his master when the great warrior-lord died.