concise versions of children's favorites: The Story of Ferdinand

Ferdinand, a three-year-old bull living in rural Spain, exhibits symptoms of long-standing depression. He does not participate in gender- or age-appropriate activities, instead spending his time sitting passively beneath a tree. Against all evidence, his mother, who is a cow, believes him to be happy. One day, following a chance violent outburst, he is kidnapped and taken to Madrid to be publicly tortured and massacred for sport. His utter passivity eventually revolts even his kidnappers, and he escapes with his life.