a man and his ox

In the forest, all was quiet and cool. As the mists moved in the pre-dawn, wolves and goblins were heard howling and chattering with hunger in the distance. OH turned to the noise and got up to check on his friend.

He rolled up his sleeves and filled a bag with some fine hay throwing in a little sweetener of Lucerne and oats. He took the nose bag around to his friend OX and slipped it on. The next task was to give him a brush and he was ready for the day’s work. OH looked at him and smiled, proud that OX was looking so good. Then he checked the harness and fitted it.

OH had a wagon full of freight and also carried a religious group called the "true believers" who were on their way to the town of Success. It was a hard road to Success full of hazards with steep climbs and some steep descents.

OX had just taken a few days rest, to recover after a long uphill section on the road, but today was going to be a big day. The baggage numbers for the day were Gold 668, copper 3290 and Zinc 1.48. A heavy load. This also meant the day would be very profitable.

OH had noticed that while they had been resting the wolves and goblins had come closer. Their howls of hunger louder. He spoke to the OX reassuringly. He was in control of the situation.

The price of a seat on the OX wagon had climbed steadily, but in the last 4 months with the amount of true believers wanting to ride, ticket prices had increased steeply. This was really good and as a result OH had been awarded wagoneer of the year by his peers.

Gann (not his real name), a short 45 year old who was not a true believer, in company with a goblin (not his real name either), hovered around the edge of the wagon during the journey, yelling at the true believers to get off before the wagon crashes. "Nothing can keep climbing so steeply for ever" and also “the wagon brakes might fail”. This was so they could get a seat on the wagon without paying - using the unused portion of the ticket stubs for a "short" journey, till they were kicked of :)

OH was very mindful of his OH&S obligations under the new legislation> He looked after his true believers and pulled the harness straps a little tighter for the hard climb up today. He had put fresh premium linings on the brakes as well. This would make the steep climb ahead safer for all.

It was going to be a good day ………..

To be continued