Suddenly — like a bolt from the blue — the silence was broken by the sound of hooves. Everyone turned.

A horse appeared from the forest. Graceful, strong, with shiny chestnut fur and a white spot on its forehead. It was running straight toward the people, eyes fixed ahead. Panic broke out. Someone screamed, others scattered. They thought it was a wild or frightened animal — maybe even rabid. Someone shouted that it could trample the grave or hurt someone — the horse was charging at full speed.