The Red Pony (novella)

"The Red Pony" by John Steinbeck is a coming-of-age novella set on a California ranch. It follows a young boy named Jody Tiflin as he experiences the joys and hardships of rural life, including caring for a new pony that he names Gabilan. Through Jody’s experiences, the story explores themes of innocence, responsibility, loss, and growth. The narrative weaves together episodes from Jody’s life, reflecting the challenges of growing up and understanding the complexities of life and death in a rural setting. It’s a poignant portrayal of childhood and maturity.