Farm – Cattle – Skunk
I have so enjoyed this meander through all of the words that were contributed for this challenge. Today’s story will complete this series. I have learned several things about myself as a writer during this journey. Thank you all for joining me on this adventure!
These three words have proven to be the most challenging for me to write something from! So here goes nothing.
Charlie wiped his sticky mouth against the back of his hand. “Them sure are the best pan-a-cakes Grandma. Think you could teach Mommy to cook like you when she comes to get me?”
She laughed, “I’ve tried. When your mama was still home, she could burn water.”
“Hmmm…don’t guess she’s got much better. Maybe you should try again.”
“And maybe you ought to get out there with Grandpa. He said, he would be in the barn with the cattle waiting for you. I believe he plans on giving you a ride on one of the old Swiss cows today.”
“What? I get to ride a cow?” He jumped up from his seat, and the chair crashed to the floor. His eyes were wide as saucers when he looked at his grandma and picked it up. With his eyes still locked on her, he shoved it into place causing the table to kick. A narrow stream of milk ran off the table and pooled on the floor from the glass that had tumbled over.
Charlie’s voice found him quickly, “Its kinda pretty. Huh? Like a milk waterfall.”
“A milk waterfall.” She repeated flatly.
He forced a smile and nodded enthusiastically.
“Go find your grandpa.”
In seconds the door slammed against the frame and the house fell silent.
With his arms stretched out, he ran across the farm weaving back and forth. He was an airplane flying across the yard, past the golden wheat that swayed in the gentle breeze, and towards the landing strip in front of the barn.
“Grandpa!” He yelled as he walked into the building.
It was when he hollered grandpa the second time that he saw something move quickly across the back wall. Suddenly, he was a tiger stalking his prey, nudging his target into the nearest corner.
“It’s okay. I won’t hurt you.” He said to the small animal. “You’re little. Where is your mommy? I bet your scared.” He crouched next to it. “I like that white stripe down your back. I think I’ll call you Stripey. I’ll take you to Grandma. She’ll know what to do.”
The animal began to stamp his feet and hiss at the boy. Looking around he saw a feed sack and laid it across Stripey just as he was raising his tail. “It’s okay,” he said hugging his new pet to his chest. “Grandma is going to love you as much as I do!”
He had stepped out of the barn when he saw his grandpa walking towards him from the field leading a cow with a harness.
“I found a kitty. I think its scared!”
His grandpa’s deep voice carried easily to where he was, “That ain’t no kitty. It’s a skunk. I can smell it.”
…
In grace and peace,
Sharon Rose
