| Show INDIAN MESSENGER ary Loulse Seamons 1774 SouthEast Orem UT 84057 Non-Professional Division Second Place Short Story Will was almostman and he was trustworthy he had earned that reputation even though he was not long past his seventh birthday Now at last he was entrusted to care for his familycattle and was on his way herding them toward the big field north of town where he was to watch over them He waslittle shy this first day but soon he would build his knowledge and skills so he would not feel inadequate He would prove his parents trust in him was notmistake The day grew warmer and Will felt thirsty and hot caked with dirt kicked up by the steadily-moving cattle and mixed with his own sweat Oh well soon they would be near the stream and he could cool himself off in the clear watercress-filled water Lunch consisted ofslab of his motherhomemade bread with lots of fresh butter andslice of leftover ham And yes she hadnforgotten his favorite sugar cookies and the bit of honeycomb to eat together Will was proud to have his cattle so soon settled contentedly grazing in the deep wild hay He too contentedly watched the few fluffy clouds in the sky and listened to the happy bird and insect sounds around him By the time Will had drived the cattle to the appropriate place watched them through the day and returned them for the night he was exhausted It had beenlong day fornearman and he had ridden the pony his father had kept especially for him as much as he could stand for one day Almost too tired to eat he was ready to curl up on his own feather bed and fell asleep almost before his head touched the pillow-too soon to wake for another busy day The sumer days passed quickly The cattle were usually 00 busy chomping the meadow grasses to be more than docile thus allowing Will time to explore and to enjoy his freedom He watched the colorful bluebirds and haughty bluejays the shiny reds blackbirds with splashes of brilliant yellows and on their wings he thrilled to the Mount-Pleasant-Utah s-a-10 |
