The Christmas
Wish: The Adventures of Cowboy Jessie and Cowboy Earl by H.R. Hunsaker
It was the week after Christmas and Earl had
found himself struggling in the undertow of a fierce melancholy. In fact; Earl’s
torment was so powerful that the air around the ranch seemed to be thin and
lifeless to the point where the livestock just lay on their sides and breathe in
quick, shallow breaths while the occasional Cow Bird would flap its wings, like
a failed nineteenth century flying contraption, before losing interest and giving
up to mull about the gasping heard.
Jessie couldn’t explain the phenomena but
he was fairly certain of its source. And when he made his way around the barn to
see Earl slumped over the coral railing, his suspicions were confirmed. Jessie knew
his words were going to have to be well chosen to avoid getting pulled into
Earl’s torment but, given the severity of the situation, he wouldn’t have much
time to waste.“Hey Earl” Jessie said in an upbeat, friendly and unthreatening tone in an attempt to diffuse the situation “What’s you doing out here.”
Earl didn’t want Jessie to see his bloodshot eyes so he turned away. “Oh, I just came back here to get some air” mumbled Earl though he was aware that it was his torment that had sucked the air out of the ranch. “I just like to come out here every now and then”.
Jessie knew that Earl couldn’t go on like this for much longer. “What’s got you down Earl” Jessie blurted out “I mean it’s obvious”.
Earl had suffered long enough, and though he was ashamed, he knew the only way he could break the melancholy was to transfer it over to Jessie. Earl rationalized that Jessie was young and would likely benefit from a good old fashioned case of post-holiday depression. And though he was no clairvoyant, if he put his words together just right he could break this spell. “Jessie” said Earl with sincerity “have you ever gotten everything you have ever wanted”.
Jessie was puzzled. “You mean like for Christmas Earl.”
“Yea Christmas” replied Earl “But not just Christmas—I mean anytime—you know, have you ever gotten to the point where you have gotten everything you have ever wanted?”
Jessie shook his head “No, no Earl I guess not.”
“Consider yourself lucky then” replied Earl.
“What’s so lucky about not having everything you ever wanted” asked Jessie in annoyance. “Besides, what would you know about it”.
Earl needed to regain control of the conversation if he was ever going to shake this thing. He fired back at Jessie “I know all about it Jess. When you finally have everything you ever wanted, you find that’s not what you really wanted in the first place—then you go onto something else that, in turn, turns out to not matter as well”. Earl paused. “See, it’s a circle that a man finds himself in.” Earl looked up and focused on the blue sky behind the clouds “It’s called a rut Jess and it is a powerful source of misery.”
Jessie pondered this for a moment and asked “So what’s a man to do about this?”
Earl was starting to regained his gleaming eye and was about to finish him off “Jess” Earl said with sincerity “Jess—only wish for the things you can’t have. That way you’re in control of what troubles you—it’s better that way. Contentment only means that you have given up”. “Struggle” Earl continued as his spirits began to lift “Jess, to struggle and to stride is the only way to true happiness and that, Jessie, is my Christmas wish and present for you”.
“Gee thanks Earl” said Jessie in a last attempt at humor before his spirts sank “I think I would have preferred a gift basket”.
Earl stood up straight and threw his shoulders back. His work here was done. He took in a deep breath as the stagnant air began to lift. The livestock arose and went back to grazing and the Cow Birds regained their flight. Earl slapped Jessie on the back and proclaimed “Jess, it is going to be one glorious day. I think I’ll take Tego for a ride”.
With a slight spring in his step, Earl started off toward the barn. Jess stopped him before he got out of earshot. “Earl” said Jessie as he pointed off toward the grazing livestock “Will I ever be able to do that”.
“I don’t know Jess” replied Earl “that’s up to you. But do yourself a favor”.
“What’s that?”
“Whatever you do Jess, don’t wish for it.”
Jessie stood alone by the coral as Earl saddled up Tego.
* * *
Jessie spent the afternoon pondering his existence
while Earl ran the fences with Tego. At dusk, Jessie saddled up Starr and
joined Earl at the back pasture. After the sun had completely set and all had
become calm and bright, the two cowboys rode North by starlight.
