Kelly is an instructor of literature and creative writing at College of Lake County and Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Illinois. In this essay, Kelly looks at the story as a "coming-of-age" tale, questioning just who would be considered to have come of age.

Simon J. Ortiz's short story "The End of Old Horse" is clearly a coming-of-age story. It tells of two boys of indeterminate age who go fishing one hot, boring summer afternoon. They pass by the home of an older friend, Tony, and point out to him what he surely must already know: that his dog, Old Horse, is barking and straining at his rope. Later, Tony tells them that Old Horse has strangled himself, and the boys are filled with anger and sorrow. The younger brother uses the word "hellfire" at the dinner table, and his parents, who do not approve of...