Tall Tales and Western Cowboy Stories
written by...... R. V. Jahns
"The Fisherman and The Cowboy" I went fishing a while back on Ana Reservoir. Fishing wasn't all that it could have been. Well, that's not exactly true. Fishing was fine; it was the catching that wasn't all it could have been. While motoring around the lake looking for a hot spot, I came in sight of an old man in another boat. He hollered at me and motioned for me to come over. He introduced himself and we said our howdy do's. Then he invited me to tie up along side. This spot was as good as any on the lake and better than most and when he showed me what he'd caught so far, I was glad to accept his invitation.......
We visited for a while exchanging pleasantries then got down to some serious talking. He told me that he worked 18 years on one of the local ranches. I was kinda surprised that I didn't know him since I knew or knew of most folks in the area. He told me that one-year he calved out 4,800 head of first calf heifers all by himself. I know some of the ranch he said he worked on and although it is quite large I seriously doubted his story. I'd bet my saddle they didn't have 4,800 mother cows let alone that many first calf heifers. To calve 800 first calf heifers by ones lonesome would be a pretty good job, forget about 4,000 more. I never expressed my thoughts tho and just listened to his accounts of problems and triumphs. He went on to tell me of his many years of rodeoing and of all the unrideable horses and bulls he'd conquered, the years he'd gone without being bucked off and all different experiences while on the rodeo circuit. I was also enlightened about the monstrous fish he'd caught, all the whoppin' big deer and elk he'd killed, with a full account of each event. It was obvious to me or anyone else who was acquainted with such things that these were just tall tales. I listened with amusement as tho' believing every word, all the while thinking "what a blowhard". But it was a way to pass the afternoon and catch several fish at the same time. Later we parted, each going our separate ways. Sometime later I got to recalling that afternoon and all those tall tales. I'm no spring chicken myself. In fact I am not too awfully much younger than that old cowboy. I've got a bad shoulder which makes it painful for me to swing a rope like I use to and I'm quite sure that I can't ride like I use to either. In my heart I feel I can ride broncs just as good as I ever could, or maybe even better, but deep down I know it just ain't so.......Now, I'm not promoting the telling of tall tales. However, there are those old men that will disagree with me and what's the harm in their stretching the truth a little? After all, their days of daring glorious feats are over and the only way they can repeat them is in their mind. So even tho' we know they are just tall tales, why not just listen and enjoy their imagination. After all............it's all they have left. All I can do now is just remember the roping I did in the past and all of those memorable bronc rides I'd made...........the end. ....written by R.V. Jahns.....
Read More Cowboy Stories.................
The Golden Years Think People Crash Course In Love The Hot Tub Be sure to check back later for more Cowboy Stories from R. V. Jahns! And....... if you'd like to say howdy,
you can visit with the old cowboy himself at: myspace.com Read Original Cowboy Poetry written by Ron Jahns: cowboy poetry
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