Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Pros and Cons (08/14/14)
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TITLE: No Paddle, No Staff | Previous Challenge Entry
By Veronica Winley
08/19/14 -
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“Mildred” he yelled, “get your beefy bovine buns back over here!”
Obviously, Mildred had slipped across the creek before it got too high to ford and did not plan to attempt to come back now. Almost as if in defiance, she shook her brown and white head hard enough for the big brass bell around her neck to clang.
The man snatched off his cap in frustration and rhythmically slapped it against his leg. He debated turning around and going home, but while she obviously wasn’t in distress now, he knew eventually her udder would be full to bursting. Besides that, there were patches of wild pokeweed growing over there, which he knew Mildred would be foolish and greedy enough to try.
Normally the creek, about twenty or thirty feet from bank to bank, was not deep enough in the middle to come up to his shoulders. When flooded, however, it could reach ten to twelve feet deep – and he was a lousy swimmer. He combed his short beard with his fingers as he gazed at the truant, who had wandered a few feet further along the bank.
Changing his tone, he called out in a wheedling, coaxing voice, “Come on, sweet girl. I know you can swim across if you want to. I have some apples and corn – your favorites - waiting for you back in the barn.”
In reply, Mildred turned around so he had a good view of her swishing tail.
The man thought if he had a gun in his hand at the moment, he would have shot her. Since he didn’t, he had to find a way to get her back across. To make matters worse, a distant rumbling of thunder made more rain a distinct possibility. What to do? He could try to swim across (and probably sink like a rock, he thought glumly) and drag her back with the rope he had coiled at his feet. He was sure once she got in the water, she would start swimming – and keep him from drowning too. He could also follow the creek to its natural end and walk around it to the other side, but that was about a mile away in either direction and who’s to say she wouldn’t head back before he got to her. Then again, he could just leave Miss Mildred to her fate, hoping that when she was ready, she would head back. He thought of the meaning of the expression “until the cows come home” and sighed.
Looking up he said, “Lord, I could use some help here.”
As he stood there, gazing at the rushing water and wishing for a Red Sea experience, he felt a drop of rain on his face. The sky had darkened considerably and the rumbling was a lot closer. Mildred was now stamping her feet and mooing, as she gazed at him expectantly.
The sudden clap of thunder, followed by a nearby flash of lightning, scared them both. Mildred took two tentative steps onto the soggy bank and immediately sank to her chest. Heaving herself out of the mud, she lunged into the water and started swimming strongly towards the man.
Waving his cap, he shouted encouragement. “Come on, old girl. You can do it! That’s right. Not much further now!”
When she reached the bank, the man threw the rope around her neck and helped her struggle through the reeds and mud to firm, level ground. They both stood still for a moment, chests heaving from the exertion. Finally, taking the rope from around her neck, he slapped her on the flank and watched as she started to amble back towards the barn.
Turning around, he stared once again across the creek, as the rain started to pelt him with fat, heavy drops.
“Okay Lord,” he said, as he stood with hands on hips, “now what about the others?” The two cows Mildred had convinced to escape with her mooed forlornly in reply.
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God bless~
This is well written and on topic. Thanks.
God bless~
One of my favorite stores this week.