In response to my friends at Fandangoβs One-Word Challenge,
todayβs word is βgambler.β

βSo, kid, your ma says you wanna work on my horse ranch. Is that right?β Micah asked Billy Bob.
βYes sir. I love everything βbout horses and I asked my ma if we can get one and she told me we couldnβt afford one so the only way I can be around horses was to come work on your ranchβ Billy Bob answered, feet kicking up dust as he shuffled around nervously.
βWhat is it you love so much βbout horses, kid?β asked Micah.
βTheyβre the most beautiful animals I ever seen. I like the idea of taking a wild horse and workinβ with him every day, gettingβ him to trust youβ replied Billy Bob, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
βBreakinβ in a horse is one of hardest things I ever done, kid. Everything βbout being a horse rancher is hard. You ready for that?β Micah asked the kid.
βI reckon. All I know is I need to learn everything there is βbout horses, what makes βem tick, how to train βem to be the best horses ever. I canβt think of anything more excitinβ β¦ except gettingβ rich, that is.β Billy Bob answered. He had a burning in him that Micah saw clearly now.
Micah removed his Stetson, pulled out a bandana from his back pocket and wiped his brow. “Well, kid. You sure got the desire, needinβ to know everything βbout horses. But you gotta understand one thing βbout workinβ on a horse ranch: it ainβt gonna make you rich. Thatβs a real long shot!β Micah waited for Billy Bobβs reaction.
Billy Bob didnβt hesitate. βThatβs ok, sir. Iβm smart; thatβs what everybody says anyway. Iβll learn right quick. Besides, I donβt plan on workinβ on a horse ranch forever. No sir. Once I know everything there is to know βbout horses, Iβm gonna follow my dream.β
βAnd whatβs your dream, kidβ Micah asked, his curiosity aroused.
βIβm gonna be the smartest, most famous and richest gambler that ever wasβ Billy Bob replied with proud determination.
NAR Β© 2022