Instilling a strong work ethic, and family values in our youth.

Recently I was called to a farm to write health papers on some cattle that would soon be traveling to a stock show.  The owner of the farm was very enthusiastic to have me there, and to show off his cattle.  He quickly invited me into the barn, and began regaling me with the genealogies of each of the cattle we looked at.  His wife was also in the barn, she was busy brushing, blow drying and generally beautifying the animals.  Then he began to preach to me on the work ethic, and family values that showing animals instills into children.  As I'm listening to this speech I notice his two children sitting in the corner of the barn, their noses buried in their phones, completely unaware that I am even there.

As his speech drags on, my mind begins to drift and I find myself being drawn back through the mists of time.  As the mists clear I'm standing in a different time and place.  Before me I see two brothers working together to prepare their own steer for a stock show.  The younger brother is holding the lead rope on a nervous animal much larger than himself, as the older brother sprays both the steer and the younger brother (I'm sure quite accidentally) with a cold hose in an attempt to give the animal a bath.  Just then a friendly neighbor drives by, honks his horn, and yells "Looking good boys!"

The honking of the horn turns the already nervous animal into a one animal stampede.  With the little boy hanging onto the lead rope for dear life.  How he's able to keep up with the animal I'm still not sure.  Occasionally a foot seems to touch the ground, but not as often as you think it should, and it seems as if at any moment he'll land squarely on his face.  Meanwhile the older brother with visions of a big paycheck at the end of the stockshow quickly evaporating before his eyes, as his steer darts in and out of traffic, is in hot pursuit.  He's carrying a pitchfork, and yelling at his younger brother.  "If you let go of that D@&$ rope, I'll run you through with this pitchfork!"

Just then the farmer asks me "So, what do you think?"  This snaps me back to the present, and I respond, "Oh, absolutely.  I couldn't agree more.  Showing animals is great for children!  And if nothing else it might prepare them for the track team."

"What?" He asks.  "Never mind." I respond.  "Here are your kids health papers, good luck at the show."  As I walked out of the barn, the kids were still staring at their phones.  Somehow I don't think they'll be making the track team.  But at least they're developing a strong work ethic.