Games

    
One evenin', 'round a cow-camp fire
Sat all (except the night-men).
The night was dull.  It seemed required
To scare up some excitement.

So they agreed a game to play
And, this, involvin' questions.
Just think real hard, then join the fray
And try to ask the best 'un.

The object was to make up one
That no one else could answer.
They'd all take turns.  When one was done
The turn would merely transfer.

If no one knew the answer though
The "asker" won the "throne".
But, not to lose, he had to know
The answer to his own.

Ol' Slim was first.  He'd been around.
He'd rode for many a spread.
He spat his chaw and hunkered down,
And this is what he said.

"I saw a prairie dog", he told,
"A fresh dug hole near to it.
But weren't no dirt around the hole.
Now, tell me.  How'd he do it?"

The others racked their brains to know.
Some paced and some stayed seated.
But no one had the answer, though.
They finally conceded.

A grin broke out on Slim's tan face.
He knew that he had got 'em.
He'z purty sure he'd take First Place.
"He started at the bottom."

"But wait!" young Bubba said out loud.
"Them ain't no words to end with!
What I would like to know is how'd
He get there to begin with?"

The camp grew hushed.  (He'd challenged Slim!)
And every ear was listenin'.
How would the vet'ran deal with him?
Ol' Slim's moustache was glistenin'.

Then Slim stood up and slapped his knee
Said "Son, you SHOULD be jealous,
But seems the words you said should be
Your question.  Now you tell us!"

bubba