The Tragical Tale of the Three Bovines

Two weeks ago ushered in ‘Act One’ of the ‘Tragical Tale of the Three Bovines’.

One afternoon a fortnight ago the children set out for a walk in the bush and I settled down to some quiet time with the little ones. It wasn’t long before I could hear returning children’s voices, they were raised and calling to me in urgency. I had a premonition it was not good news as they hurried up the paddock.

The children had found two dead cattle in the creek, that’s right not one but two! The first had died on the track leading out of the creek, we surmised it may have slipped a disc and couldn’t rise. The second further up and around a bend had obviously slipped into the creek into a particularly deep hole and couldn’t get out. Not a pretty site nor I hasten to add a pleasant smell. [I did think at the time of grabbing my camera but then I decided for the sake of my readers you could do without the visual;)] As we are not yet fortunate to be the owners of livestock these cattle belong to a friend who is agisting here. A sad tale indeed to bear.

‘Act Two’ saw us several days later with the cattle winched to the tractor and being pulled out of the creek. We then began building a bonfire. Due to gusty winds and taking into consideration many bushfires out of control throughout the state we decided to postpone burning. The next day the fire ban season was brought forward and we now needed a permit to burn.

The following weekend with fire permit in hand we set off with friend D to the dam to fill his 1000litre water tank to have on hand with his fire fighting pump. ‘Act Three’ opened to another blow, floating in the dam was the ‘third bovine’. This cow was a favourite and worse she left behind a month old calf. The act concluded with the fire fighting pump’s sucking hose not functioning and the third cow being towed to join the other cattle on the funeral pyre. With no water for safety’s sake the bonfire was postponed. In any case the children were busy running around in the dark throughout the ‘140 acre wood’ in pursuit of the calf.

As the fire permit was only valid for three days we had yet again to seek another for the following weekend. With wild dingoes about it was amazing over this extended period there were no incidences. ‘Act Four’ did indeed see the lighting of the bonfire despite the beginning of the first rain in months. Undaunted the children took advantage of the occasion to toast marshmallows and drink soft drink.

For any tender hearted readers you may spare a prayer for our friend D.