Chapter Three

One day—well, humm, I would say around after daylight, and before I go into the house for my nap.  I was outside doing some scouting by the gated pipe.  Mom, Dad, and Boo were up at the Biggest Corn field setting water in the new alfalfa field. Well, it’s really not new; it was planted last year, but this year is the first year it could be harvested.  See it takes that long for the baby alfalfa plants to become strong enough to handle being cut three times a year.

Dad says some people do cut the alfalfa the year it’s planted but he never does; the stem on the plant is very fine and extremely full of protein.  That protein is so strong it can cause an alfalfa eater to bloat and, well, die.

Therefore, Dad Never cuts alfalfa the first year of growth.

Now on the second year of growth, the plant has become an adult.  Therefore, the protein is distributed throughout the whole plant and not collected in just the stem.  Also, the leaves—the yummy, yummiest part, are full and round and hold a perfect amount of protein, minerals, and other good stuff for alfalfa eating animals.

I DO NOT EAT ALFLAFA!

Boo Berry does not eat alfalfa.  Just say’n.

Hooved animals eat alfalfa!

So anyway—back to my story!

Since this new alfalfa field was getting water again (one cutting had already been hauled away). Mom and Dad and Boo Berry were setting up the syphon tubes to start the water on the just finished being cut, baled, and hauled field when Dad stopped everything.

“I Know!  I KNOW!!! I’m the one who told you what Dad saw!”  Boo Berry yelled excitedly.  “It was a BEAR!!  Going into the corn field right by the house and right next to the gated pipe!!!

Right!!! I confirmed.

Like I said, I was out there, scouting around—

hummm, skunk here last night.  Squirted someone…oh, squirted the fox.  Silly fox!

Yep, that black cat was here again.

GRRRRR!

I kept on sniffing and learning things.

Suddenly, a squirrel dashed in front of me.  I was so startled I didn’t even give chase.  Besides, I was full.  Yummy canned cat food mom got me that I ate down without gagging.

I was looking this way, sniffing that way, when suddenly coming right toward me was a BEAR!!

Oh! My Heavens!  I’ve never really, ever seen one up close and personal.

It was big and super furry and had hooked claws and was BIG!

I stopped, stunned and scared.

The bear looked right at me.

Then the bear turned into one of the corn rows and disappeared.

I ran to the house as fast as I could and stayed next to the back porch and awning for the rest of the day and the next day.

I always sleep inside at night — I know I am safe inside.