Arab y
All my life, as far back as I can recall, I have had a love for horses. Even now, if there are horses anywhere, I have a great urge to stop whatever it is I am doing, and just watch. If I am doodling I invariably draw horse heads on the paper. My grandkids like for me to draw animals; dogs cats, pigs, whatever, but always it’s a horse that thrills them the most. Perhaps, because I draw them the most life-like.
In Paraguay, the thing I loved to do the most was ride horses. At least once a week we rode horses. We did not ride as a means of transportation, as when we traveled to other settlements. For those times, we hitched a horse to a wagon, and went to our destination. A horse and wagon was our “station wagon”. Our horse-back riding was always for recreation. During those times of pleasure, any horse was adequate. However, there was one horse, more than any other, that I wanted to ride! That horse was Arab y. I thought that he was a magnificent horse. However, everyone thought that Arab y was a little unpredictable, Consequently, I had quite some difficulty getting anyone to allow me to ride him.
A few months ago, my granddaughter gave me a movie entitled “Second Hand Lions”. In that movie there was a scene where the hero was riding a beautiful white stallion, not unlike Arab y. Also like Arab y, the horse in the movie was an Arabian horse. The hero was riding on a beach when another rider on an equally magnificent, though black, horse came riding along side. The race was on! That scene of the two beautiful horses racing side by side brought to my recollection the time that I, also, was in a race while riding Arab y.
After being turned down countless times, no matter how often I asked or cajoled, I was not able to persuade the powers that be, to allow me to ride Arab y. But I guess my persistence finally paid off, because I was able to get permission to ride my favorite horse. At the time, there was a cowboy with me, to make sure I would be safe. We started out calmly enough, with Arab y leading the way, but soon the pace escalated. The cowboy had gotten his horse to go a little faster and he soon overtook us and took the lead. Big mistake! I guess Arab y did not like following, because he kicked it into high gear and took off. Very quickly, Arab y passed the other horse, and the race was on . The cowboy tried, but was not able to catch up to us and the distance between the two horses grew farther and farther apart. We were traveling on a dirt road at speeds I had never ridden before! I was holding on for dear life! The cowboy tried to keep up, but Arab y was just too fast. The faster he ran, the harder I held on. I had no idea where Arab y was taking me, but I knew that there was no way that I was going to get him to change his mind. Before long, the saddle that was under me began to slide. I lost my stirrups! Then my shoes flew off! At the same time the saddle slid around to Arab y’s side! When I looked up to where we were headed, I saw that we were on a collision course with a gate! Just when I thought that we were going to crash into the gate, Arab y decided to stop. Four halting jumps and just inches before the fence, it all ended. Arab y came to a stand-still. In spite of myself, I had been able to hold on. The cowboy finally caught up and seeing that everything was safe, took control of Arab y. Man, that had to be the best race that I have ever had!!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Adventure
The other day, two of my granddaughters, Rebekah and Rachel, along with another friend, decided to take a hike to explore their parent’s land. Actually their land only consists of about 7 ½ acres. That certainly is not a very large tract, but it is separated by a long pond with a lot of brush that impedes being able to see very far on the other side of the pond where the bulk of the land is located. So, when Rebekah (aged 9) and Rachel (aged 6) with their friend (also aged 9) embarked on their outing (I might add they “embarked” without informing their parents), they naturally proceeded to the far part of the land where it was impossible to see them from the house. Now the kids had snacks and drinks with them for a picnic, and in their quest for discovery, never gave a thought that Debbie (my daughter)would become worried when they were not playing around the house, as had always been their routine. Needless to say, when Debbie called them for lunch, and the girls were nowhere to be found, panic ensued. After about an hour of looking and calling (screaming would be more precise)for them, the girls were finally located. They were returning from their quest, oblivious that their parents were on the verge of calling the police and initiating a search party. So, when they returned, the girls could not imagine what all the fuss was about. There was a collective sigh from all involved, and life returned to its normal chaotic state.
The incident with my granddaughters reminded me of the time when a group of my class-mates and myself embarked on a similar adventure. There were, perhaps, around 20 students that decided to take a holiday from classes and find a more enjoyable way to spend the day. In Reality, we were wanting to play an April Fools Day joke on our teacher, Joerg. So, not unlike my grandkids, just up and left school without letting any adult know what we were going to do or where we were going. But unlike the 7 ½ acres, the Paraguayan trek was in an area that covered many miles. It was also rife with countless dangers, such as snakes, insects, and wild animals. Another difference was that of attitude. The attitude of the three girls, was one of innocence, while the attitude of us in the jungle was actually rebelliousness.
The decision to take a “holiday” was not meant to be vicious in defiance, but merely an act of innocent mischievousness. We were all in the same class room which, actually, was comprised of three grades, sixth, seventh and eighth. Our act was spontaneous and was not a conspiracy. We were all at our desks waiting for our teacher, who on that day, was late for class. Naturally, his tardiness, opened the door for a bright, though naughty, bunch of kids (that were wanting to sow some “wild oats”), to react to such an obvious invitation for a creative April Fools Day prank to be pursued.
Of course, it did not take long before our parents became worried about the missing students. And the search began! We had left school around eight A.M. and were located by Josua (a cowboy)about nine hours later. During that time we wandered the area from the school house through the orchards, through the woods and into the jungle. After about an hour of meandering, Francisco stumbled into a nest of yellow-jackets, and was attacked. He was stung several times. That incident, caused us to consider going back, but harder heads prevailed. We continued our wanderings, each one daring the other to persevere and to keep going. After a while we came upon a "rosada", or clearing, so we built a fire, and when the fire burned down to embers, we roasted "Mandioka" that we had gathered while "escaping" through the fields and orchards. "Mandioka" is a root vegetable similar to potatoes, and they tasted delicious having been roasted over the live coals, especially for a bunch of hungry teen-agers. Later while we were still in the middle of the jungle, we came upon a huge tree. We decided that we should all carve our names in it and the date of our adventure, April 1, 1957.
Except for the stings that Francisco had to endure and the fact that we were playing mass hooky, there were no noticeable injuries or misdemeanors. In spite of those facts, when Josua informed us that our parents were worried sick, and were searching all over for us, The fear of what was sure to be ahead of us prompted all of us to begin our exodus back to Ibate’ ( Ibate’ was where our school was). I guess I should point out that our return was executed with a great deal more haste than our venture into the wilderness. We ran! I must tell you, I did not think that we could cover so much ground in so short a time. Twenty minutes is about all the time it took for the return trip.
All in all, the adventure was exciting and, perhaps one of the most memorable times that I can remember in the “Brudehof“. But when we had to face the Brudeschaft, the embarrassment and shame that was going to be inflicted on us eclipsed all our excitement with fear. The Brudeschaft was the gathering of the brotherhood in times of important matters, or in our instance, an “inquisition” and scolding assemblage. One by one we marched into the room and were made to stand before all the parents and authorities while we were scolded and made to feel very ashamed. When my time came, I was very scared, and did not know what was going to be done to me. Danny M. ,who was a cowboy, told everyone present that I and a few others were “mitlaeufer”. When he said that, I was terrified! I was, in fact, one of the younger children and was only in the sixth grade. I was convinced that I was in serious trouble and was being singled out as a ring-leader of the “gang”. Their “inquisition” had put the “fear of the Lord” in all of us, but especially into me because of what Danny had said about me. It was one of the most abasing and emotionally charged incidents that I have ever faced in my life. Of course, if I would have known that Danny was actually defending me, and that “mitlaeufer” means follower and not ring-leader, I could have left the “Brudeschaft” in better spirits. Properly brought to task for my deed, and allowed to reenter the fellowship of the Bruderhof a humbler but wiser teen-ager. But, alas, it was only some time later that I discovered the meaning of that “condemning” word. I must admit, though, I was a more obedient child….for awhile anyway.
The other day, two of my granddaughters, Rebekah and Rachel, along with another friend, decided to take a hike to explore their parent’s land. Actually their land only consists of about 7 ½ acres. That certainly is not a very large tract, but it is separated by a long pond with a lot of brush that impedes being able to see very far on the other side of the pond where the bulk of the land is located. So, when Rebekah (aged 9) and Rachel (aged 6) with their friend (also aged 9) embarked on their outing (I might add they “embarked” without informing their parents), they naturally proceeded to the far part of the land where it was impossible to see them from the house. Now the kids had snacks and drinks with them for a picnic, and in their quest for discovery, never gave a thought that Debbie (my daughter)would become worried when they were not playing around the house, as had always been their routine. Needless to say, when Debbie called them for lunch, and the girls were nowhere to be found, panic ensued. After about an hour of looking and calling (screaming would be more precise)for them, the girls were finally located. They were returning from their quest, oblivious that their parents were on the verge of calling the police and initiating a search party. So, when they returned, the girls could not imagine what all the fuss was about. There was a collective sigh from all involved, and life returned to its normal chaotic state.
The incident with my granddaughters reminded me of the time when a group of my class-mates and myself embarked on a similar adventure. There were, perhaps, around 20 students that decided to take a holiday from classes and find a more enjoyable way to spend the day. In Reality, we were wanting to play an April Fools Day joke on our teacher, Joerg. So, not unlike my grandkids, just up and left school without letting any adult know what we were going to do or where we were going. But unlike the 7 ½ acres, the Paraguayan trek was in an area that covered many miles. It was also rife with countless dangers, such as snakes, insects, and wild animals. Another difference was that of attitude. The attitude of the three girls, was one of innocence, while the attitude of us in the jungle was actually rebelliousness.
The decision to take a “holiday” was not meant to be vicious in defiance, but merely an act of innocent mischievousness. We were all in the same class room which, actually, was comprised of three grades, sixth, seventh and eighth. Our act was spontaneous and was not a conspiracy. We were all at our desks waiting for our teacher, who on that day, was late for class. Naturally, his tardiness, opened the door for a bright, though naughty, bunch of kids (that were wanting to sow some “wild oats”), to react to such an obvious invitation for a creative April Fools Day prank to be pursued.
Of course, it did not take long before our parents became worried about the missing students. And the search began! We had left school around eight A.M. and were located by Josua (a cowboy)about nine hours later. During that time we wandered the area from the school house through the orchards, through the woods and into the jungle. After about an hour of meandering, Francisco stumbled into a nest of yellow-jackets, and was attacked. He was stung several times. That incident, caused us to consider going back, but harder heads prevailed. We continued our wanderings, each one daring the other to persevere and to keep going. After a while we came upon a "rosada", or clearing, so we built a fire, and when the fire burned down to embers, we roasted "Mandioka" that we had gathered while "escaping" through the fields and orchards. "Mandioka" is a root vegetable similar to potatoes, and they tasted delicious having been roasted over the live coals, especially for a bunch of hungry teen-agers. Later while we were still in the middle of the jungle, we came upon a huge tree. We decided that we should all carve our names in it and the date of our adventure, April 1, 1957.
Except for the stings that Francisco had to endure and the fact that we were playing mass hooky, there were no noticeable injuries or misdemeanors. In spite of those facts, when Josua informed us that our parents were worried sick, and were searching all over for us, The fear of what was sure to be ahead of us prompted all of us to begin our exodus back to Ibate’ ( Ibate’ was where our school was). I guess I should point out that our return was executed with a great deal more haste than our venture into the wilderness. We ran! I must tell you, I did not think that we could cover so much ground in so short a time. Twenty minutes is about all the time it took for the return trip.
All in all, the adventure was exciting and, perhaps one of the most memorable times that I can remember in the “Brudehof“. But when we had to face the Brudeschaft, the embarrassment and shame that was going to be inflicted on us eclipsed all our excitement with fear. The Brudeschaft was the gathering of the brotherhood in times of important matters, or in our instance, an “inquisition” and scolding assemblage. One by one we marched into the room and were made to stand before all the parents and authorities while we were scolded and made to feel very ashamed. When my time came, I was very scared, and did not know what was going to be done to me. Danny M. ,who was a cowboy, told everyone present that I and a few others were “mitlaeufer”. When he said that, I was terrified! I was, in fact, one of the younger children and was only in the sixth grade. I was convinced that I was in serious trouble and was being singled out as a ring-leader of the “gang”. Their “inquisition” had put the “fear of the Lord” in all of us, but especially into me because of what Danny had said about me. It was one of the most abasing and emotionally charged incidents that I have ever faced in my life. Of course, if I would have known that Danny was actually defending me, and that “mitlaeufer” means follower and not ring-leader, I could have left the “Brudeschaft” in better spirits. Properly brought to task for my deed, and allowed to reenter the fellowship of the Bruderhof a humbler but wiser teen-ager. But, alas, it was only some time later that I discovered the meaning of that “condemning” word. I must admit, though, I was a more obedient child….for awhile anyway.
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