Three years after I arrived in this country, the grey horse came back from a Meeting. His face was very sad.

He said to me: 'The other Houyhnhnms are not happy. You are better than a Yahoo because you can learn. They know that. But you cannot live in my family because you are not a Houyhnhnm. They are afraid. One day perhaps the Yahoos will fight us, and you will help them. They say you have to leave my house. I do not like this, but please find some wood. Make that thing and travel in it across the sea. We will help you. You have to go!'

I was as sad as my owner. I liked the Houyhnhnms. They were very kind and they were good friends. They love everybody in their country, not only their families. They do not marry for love; they marry for strong children. I wanted to stay there with them.

When I thought about my family and friends in England, I thought: 'In many ways they're as bad as the Yahoos here. I don't like my face or body now. I don't want to go home. I don't want to be a Yahoo.'

I fell down at the feet of my owner. For a time I wanted to die. Then I got up and said, 'I understand. You and the other Houyhnhnms are right. I'm a stupid Yahoo. I'll leave your country.'

'Thank you,' answered my owner. 'You can have two months.

Then you will have to go. Which servants can help you?'

'The young, red-brown horse likes me,' I said.' He and I can build the boat.'

In six weeks we made a light boat from wood. We put food and milk and water into it.

On 15th February, 1715, I was ready. Early in the morning, my owner and his family came down to the water and watched. The grey horse cried and put his front foot to my mouth. When I moved out to sea, I heard the red-brown horse. He called in his language: 'Be careful, good Yahoo!'

* * *

I was on the sea for many days. I wanted to go to India, but I could not find that country. I was nearly dead when I saw a ship.

The Yahoos on the ship were good men. But I felt ill when I looked at them. I wanted to jump into the sea.

'I cannot live with Yahoos!' I cried.

But a man stopped me and tied me to my bed.

They spoke to me in the Portuguese language. I know this language well and I could understand them. This was very strange for me.

After two or three days, I began to feel better and I told them about the Yahoos.

'This cannot be true!' they cried.

I was angry. After my time in the country of the Houyhnhnms, I could only speak true words. But they listened to my story again. They thought carefully about it and said, 'This is possible!' I travelled on this ship to Lisbon. There I found a ship for England.

It was very difficult for me. I had to learn to live with men again. In many ways, they are not different from Yahoos.

‘But I don't want to live with Yahoos!' I cried. ‘ I want to live with good, kind Houyhnhnms. I hate dirty Yahoos! And I hate bad Yahoos!'

My people make me angry when they are unkind to horses. I bought two horses. I understand them well and they understand me. I talk to them every day. They are good friends. I can never forget the wonderful Houyhnhnms.