Congratulations !
You have been awarded points.
Thank you for !
- Story Listed as: Fiction For Teens
- Theme: Fairy Tales & Fantasy
- Subject: Flash / Mini / Very Short
- Published: 07/17/2023
.png)
On the 13th June, 2021, I was walking with a group along a footpath adjoining a slowly developing ranch in Union Nevada. We were there to overlook a few head of remaining cattle. A strange illness had overtaken this fledgling property. Six of the wild cattle had succumbed to the illness. I was here to purchase the healthier of her herds.
We came to a field with a waterhole next to the gate. I checked the water quality. Why? I do not know. I wasn't there acting as a veterinarian or the doctor's assistant.i wasn't a representative for the department of agriculture.i wasn't working for the Bureau of land management. I was a buyer seeking the lowest economical price.
I Did a check of the field before I entered and saw there were several groups of cows but did not see a bull or calves. They looked like dairy cows. This check was for my protection. I have distrusted cattle since my adolescent years. Cattle looked demonic. This was ridiculous. I had a mild comprehension of how silly my paranoia was. I was a greenhorn attempting to purchase a massive beast that terrified me.
I entered the field with my cattle dog and the other members of the party came in after. I walked as usual with my dog on a tight lead. I’ve done this countless times before without a problem, but these cows were more menacingly inquisitive than I ever imagined or remember.
I crossed the field and came towards an open gate, but some of the herd moved quite quickly to get in front of me. My opponents were forming a standoff.in a standoff between human and beast the beast would win.
Running, escaping were the thoughts flooding my mind.fight seemed foolish and flight seemed impossible. It was about a quarter mile to the next gate or fence – and my route back was blocked by additional herds of determined cattle. I decided that the best course of action was to position myself and my dog behind the open gate with me behind the dog. Alice was a healer, her inbred instinct was to bark loudly and to nip the cattles heels.as this Alice was a herding dog. Surprisingly Alice offered sufficient distraction and protection.
The bull then appeared in front of the gate and was about twenty feet away from me.
I tried to shoo the cattle away, but they would not move.
I called back to my companions and told them to help or get the Hell out of my way. I am coming out one way or another. Alice had dragged me back through the open gate. Alice held a position by my side slightly in front of me. By then I had made it back to the water hole, the gate and my red pickup. I was safe, my companions were safe.
When I questioned my friends why they wouldn't help during the standoff. They laughed " what Bull" your " standoff was with a holstein, a dairy cow.
The End
The Bovine Standoff(Martha Hume)
On the 13th June, 2021, I was walking with a group along a footpath adjoining a slowly developing ranch in Union Nevada. We were there to overlook a few head of remaining cattle. A strange illness had overtaken this fledgling property. Six of the wild cattle had succumbed to the illness. I was here to purchase the healthier of her herds.
We came to a field with a waterhole next to the gate. I checked the water quality. Why? I do not know. I wasn't there acting as a veterinarian or the doctor's assistant.i wasn't a representative for the department of agriculture.i wasn't working for the Bureau of land management. I was a buyer seeking the lowest economical price.
I Did a check of the field before I entered and saw there were several groups of cows but did not see a bull or calves. They looked like dairy cows. This check was for my protection. I have distrusted cattle since my adolescent years. Cattle looked demonic. This was ridiculous. I had a mild comprehension of how silly my paranoia was. I was a greenhorn attempting to purchase a massive beast that terrified me.
I entered the field with my cattle dog and the other members of the party came in after. I walked as usual with my dog on a tight lead. I’ve done this countless times before without a problem, but these cows were more menacingly inquisitive than I ever imagined or remember.
I crossed the field and came towards an open gate, but some of the herd moved quite quickly to get in front of me. My opponents were forming a standoff.in a standoff between human and beast the beast would win.
Running, escaping were the thoughts flooding my mind.fight seemed foolish and flight seemed impossible. It was about a quarter mile to the next gate or fence – and my route back was blocked by additional herds of determined cattle. I decided that the best course of action was to position myself and my dog behind the open gate with me behind the dog. Alice was a healer, her inbred instinct was to bark loudly and to nip the cattles heels.as this Alice was a herding dog. Surprisingly Alice offered sufficient distraction and protection.
The bull then appeared in front of the gate and was about twenty feet away from me.
I tried to shoo the cattle away, but they would not move.
I called back to my companions and told them to help or get the Hell out of my way. I am coming out one way or another. Alice had dragged me back through the open gate. Alice held a position by my side slightly in front of me. By then I had made it back to the water hole, the gate and my red pickup. I was safe, my companions were safe.
When I questioned my friends why they wouldn't help during the standoff. They laughed " what Bull" your " standoff was with a holstein, a dairy cow.
The End
.png)
Shelly Garrod
08/14/2023Very funny story Martha. Had me chuckling to the end. Great job.
Blessings Shelly
Help Us Understand What's Happening
.jpeg)
Lillian Kazmierczak
07/20/2023Oh, Martha this was really funny! Perception is everything! Im with you though, cattle are sppoky and they can be frightening in large numbers. Kudos to Alice for keeping her wits about her! Well written and well-deserved short story star of the day!
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
.png)
Help Us Understand What's Happening
.jpeg)
JD
07/19/2023Martha, this is one of my favorite stories of yours that I have read. It is well written, intriguing, a little suspensful, and absolutely hilarious at the end. Great job. Happy short story star of the day! :-)
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
.jpeg)
COMMENTS (4)