Vonk the Horse

Spark, the Bravest Stallion of the 18th Century

De: Patricia Furstenberg

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

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Readers of all ages will sail the high seas to the end of the 18th century, the middle of winter in the southern hemisphere. When a ship hits a bank of sand near the Cape of Storms (Cape Town), all spectators on land fear for the lives of those on board for the waters are frigid and currents strong. The dairy farmer Wolraad Woltemade just arrived on his horse Vonk, Flame, to bring food supplies to his son, a soldier stationed in the area. He takes pity of the sailors trying to save themselves and jumps the icy water on his horse to help drag to shore the strong swimmers who made it this far.

“The waves, like branches; Grabbing and pulling. The wind, like fingers; Tossing and turning.”

Seven times he does it, the eight’s time proving fatal as man, horse and five swimmer holding onto his long tail are pulled under the cold, frothy waves never to be seen again. This book is based on a true story of utmost bravery of Wolraad Woltemade, a Cape Dutch dairy farmer who lived during the 18th century. He gave his life rescuing sailors from the wreck of the ship De Jonge Thomas anchored in Table Bay, South Africa, on 1 June 1773 Of the 191 souls on board, only 53 survived and of these 14 were saved by Woltemade. "Vonk" (Afrikaans/Dutch for "Spark") is the name attributed to Wolraad Woltemade’s horse in a statue created by Mitford-Barbeton to commemorate the tragic event.
Beautifully illustrated.

5 STARS Readers' Favorite BOOK:

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“The sturdy horse was Boetie, Brother, or Vonk, undying Flame, the flame of hope.” Woltemade (“well made by God”) was his master, a dairy farmer. The two were connected, a man and a horse. When the storms off the coast of Cape Town raged ferociously, ships were tossed like matchsticks, the sailors on board doomed. Their cries for help reached the dairy farmer and his horse and the two dived into the waters time after time to save the sailors. They almost saved all of the sailors, but the fatigue and the cold were onerous burdens and the last attempt failed. But the two live on in spirit. Together. Always together. A statue in Cape Town commemorates the two brave souls.

Patricia Furstenberg’s Christian children’s story, Vonk the Horse: Spark, the Bravest Stallion of the 18th Century (Africa’s Bravest Creatures Book 2), is based on a true story. Accompanied by stunning photographs and images of paintings, the book tells a compelling story of a man and his horse and how, with God’s help, they overcame the forces of nature and saved fourteen sailors from an icy cold death at sea. The story is told in free verse, with eloquent metaphors and similes to describe the intensity of the storm that raged and the power of the bond between a man and his horse. The power of faith shines through as this one man and his horse confront impossible odds to save as many sailors as possible. This is a powerful story of undying faith against all odds and putting others before oneself, a valuable lesson for readers of all ages."

If you enjoy this book, please check out our best selling book The Cheetah and the Dog.

A stirring tale told in lyrical verse

A stirring tale told in lyrical verse, Vonk the Horse sweeps listeners into a stormy moment in South African history—where courage rides not in armor, but bareback into icy seas.

The audiobook is beautifully narrated, with emotion that mirrors the rhythm of the waves and the pounding hooves of a hero horse.

Part legend, part history, this poetic journey honors the selfless act of Wolraad Woltemade and his loyal stallion, Vonk. Short, powerful, and unforgettable—this is a tale that gallops straight into the heart.