And The Cow Got After Mama

Granddaddy likes to give sweet feed to cows that have new baby calves. The cows are very happy about this. It makes Granddaddy very popular. They lined up at the gate hoping he would forget who had the youngest calves. They all like sweet feed.

Mama offered to feed the cow with the newborn. Granddaddy took a bucket filled with sweet feed and headed toward the barn. Mama put sweet feed in another bucket, closed the gate and headed down the alley. The alley is a narrow stretch between the yard and the garden. It's wide enough for a tractor. The cows use it as an access alley between pastures. Little Guy wanted to meet the new calf. Granddaddy didn't like him to meet the calves but Mama understood he would be really, really nice.

Mama called the cow and held the bucket up where the cow could see it. Little Guy gave his best smile. The cow trotted toward Mama. Her baby followed closely. Mama set the bucket down and the cow's head disappeared inside. Her baby looked at Little Guy. He gently sniffed the calf. The calf was not impressed. He turned to his mama and started eating. So much for making a new friend.

Little Guy stood there and watched the calf eat. Mama stood there and watched the cow eat. When the cow was done, Mama bent down to get the bucket. The cow shoved her back. Little Guy didn't like the looks of that. He took a step back.

Mama reached for the bucket again. The cow shook her head and started toward Mama. Little Guy knew he needed to help. Miss Lady Bug would have got all over that cow. But cows don't listen to Little Guy. And cows are really, really big. He gave Mama an encouraging smile, then turned and ran as fast as he could. He ducked up under the fence and then the gate. Little Guy didn't stop until he was safely in the yard. He looked back. Mama and the cow were glaring at each other.

Mama yelled for Grandaddy to open the gate.

"What's the problem," he asked. Little Guy figured Granddady could see what was going on, he just couldn't believe it.

"This cow won't let me get the bucket," she said.

"Just take it," he advised.

"You come get it," she said. Little Guy agreed. Granddaddy should get the bucket himself.

So Granddaddy started toward the cow. She looked at him, then back at Mama. The cow gave a big humph, turned on her heel and headed down the alley. Her calf toddled right with her.

Granddaddy laughed. "She thought you were after her calf," he said.

"I didn't touch her calf," Mama said. "Besides, she didn't care about the calf so long as she was eating." Mama shook her head. "You're probably right."

They walked back to the house and that was that.

The next day Little Guy and Granddaddy started through the pasture to give the cow some more sweet feed. The cow came running and tried to take the bucket away from Granddaddy. He said no. She didn't listen. Little Guy knew that would be trouble. Granddaddy was very unhappy. He and the cow played tug of war with the bucket. Granddaddy won -- finally. It was not pretty. It involved a great deal of yelling and snorting.

Granddaddy shook his head as they walked back to the house. "It's not the calf. It's the bucket. She's fighting for the bucket. Unbelievable."

Little Guy told Mama all about it. She laughed.

"It's amazing how your perspective changes when you're the one holding the bucket."