Pokin' Fun 

By Doc Blakely

A friend of mine said he was studying the Bible, looking for Exodus in the New Testament and wasn't having much success. He was about to put in a long distance call to Charlton Heston for information when the phone rang as he held it in his hand. Obviously, this could be a sign from God. With trembling hands, he took the receiver off the hook and calmly missed his ear, caught part of the phone between his knees and the rest under one armpit.

"Lloyd?" a voice said in a muffled manner, "Good Heavens."

Lloyd reasoned that this was another omen that his prayers had been answered. This must be a sign from the Almighty that the cattle market was about to turn in his favor: bills could be paid, and through his mind flashed visions of helicopter rides to the nearest polo fields where lovely rangerettes served Gatorade to thirsty aristocrats.

"I'm a sinner," yelled Lloyd into the receiver. "I admit it. I've cheated and lied. I've gambled and drank. I've lusted after another man's pasture and even voted for Perot, but there's one thing I ain't never done."

"Pray tell," asked the voice on the phone, "What is that?"

"I ain't never lost my religion," cried Lloyd.

"Well, have you ever lost a black white-faced heifer? This is your neighbor. I've got a stray in my pasture and she is about to throw a strain on the grass lease I have in the old gravel pit. Do you want to come get her or sell her to me?"

"Well, I sure want to do the Christian thing."

"You mean give her to me to cover the debt you owe for the hay baling last year?"

"The Bible says forgive and forget."

"I know. I'd never forgive myself if I let you forget that. Tell you what, Lloyd, I'll give you 20 dollars, keep the heifer, and call it square."

"I'll take thirty dollars and call it dumb, but you've got a deal if you can tell me where to find Exodus."

"Channel 2, Thursday night, Lloyd. It's a deal."

The cattle market may keep going down like a one-egg cake, but faith always provides an answer.