If this story is thought to be a lie, perhaps everyone can see past the deception of an easy, clean life and marvel about the excitement of chasing cows. In any case, they say in the community that…’
This is the introduction to “The Pearl” by John Steinbeck, although I have reworded it to fit into my own epic adventure, an adventure that mostly dealt with cows. I also have to specify that it was more than one story, more than one late night, and more than one foot accidentally stepping into a stray cow pie. Specific details are too hard to go into, because if I do, I may never get out. I could start with the late night phone calls, Grandpa on the other end explaining that the cows had escaped, again. I would continue with the pajamas, rubber boots, and flashlights, with the wandering around the homestead looking for any random cows strolling about. Then I would almost end with Grandpa telling us that he wanted to weigh the cows the next day, and how we reluctantly agreed to the long hours, killer mosquitoes, and stubborn cows. And the conclusion; crawling into bed with the fragrance of cows filling your nose. It’s all part of life living on a homestead, and thankfully, the Lightwoods no longer own any cows.