I awoke this morning, feeling the familiar prick of cowboy boots on wood as I put my feet to the floor. Sweeping aside my covers, I rolled out of bed savoring the first stretch of the day. After washing my face, I headed downstairs to the smell of Ma's famous grits and cracklin's. As always, the little ones had already barely taken seats at the breakfast table, little eyes gazing up at me – eager to hear of my next adventure. Wasting no time, I slurped a few spoonfuls of grits and got right to it.
It all began last night, my dear children. I could scarce believe my eyes when I glanced out the window – the dark night sky depicted a sight of a magnificent herd of howling wolves, stampeding through the yard – the verdant, moonlit hills echoing. All the hootin' and hollerin' they made – I couldn't help but join in! Grinning, I ran to grab my boots, hat, and revolver.
Elanor woke up, troubled by the commotion. She peered out the window and from the sound of it, she knew it was no ordinary ruckus. She'd never been so sure of anything in her life. I knew it must be something far more dangerous – a grizzly bear had doubtless disturbed the wolves, and by the sounds of it, they were fetching my help.
I strapped on my gun else, being a gutterling of words, I had them all bound in knots at nought and not one knew what I had said. Then, with a smirk, I raced out the door. Nothing was gonna keep me from helping these howling beasties.
For the next hour I followed them with haste, finding them somewhat tickled to have my company. We rounded the bend and hastened up the mountain, for Ma was set to come with us – she had to keep me in check, of course, and no other could do the job quite like her.
We soon reached a large clearing, the source of the howling. A great grizzly bear had cornered Elanor's mother, ready to attack. But Elanor was no ordinary girl, and known of a trick from one of my stories. With a wave of her hand, Elanor enacted an unspoken pact – the wolves, grizzly bear, and Elanor stood in agreement: her mother would go about her day, unharmed. As if the grizzly bear understood, or was simply too startled to comprehend, he ran off in the opposite direction.
Ma and Elanor lead the way back through the woods, while I,a lowly cowboy, walked to the side of the pack – the howling in reverence of their hero. Such emotion was humbling.
By the time we returned to the ranch, the sun had already fallen below the colors of the hillside. It was time to say goodbye and head to bed – for nothing makes a cowboy feel so weary. But the rustle of wind that night found me musing, of secrets shared and unlikely friendships made – truly my day on the prarie had been one for the books.
Well, there ya have it, young'uns. A day filled with remarkable things, and the spirit of adventure like none before. Who's ready for tomorrow's story?