Black Beauty is the compelling tale of a young thoroughbred that captured the hearts of Victorian England in the early 1800s. It is told by its hero, a remarkable black horse born with one white foot and a white star on his forehead. In his own unique voice, Black Beauty tells the story of his life from the time he was a young colt who grazed the meadow in idyllic country pastures, to his work pulling a cart on the cobble-stoned streets in London, his experiences with both kind and cruel treatment, and the last home where he finally finds love and happiness. Setting the scene for the story, Black Beauty's describes his first home with Farmer Grey as a pleasant meadow with a pond of clear water. He tells of when he was young and lived on his mother's milk, free to run by her side and lie close to her at night. Throughout the book, Black Beauty strives to be a good horse and follow the advice his mother, whose name was Duchess, gave him when he was a very young foal.