Wednesday, June 20, 2007

The Arrival of Claudius Beef

Claudius Beef was delivered today. He moved quickly to the truck door as it opened, but paused before going down the ramp. He could smell the wet grass and the cattle out there but wasn't going to be tricked again. The bumpy ride in that noisy cage had him rattled.

'Next time they won't load me so easily' he said, in the quiet way of a bull.

He is testy as bulls often are. He steps out quickly, half expecting the shouts of people and the flurry of activity when they try to push him where he doesn't want to go - and he will fight (they don't doubt it).

Down the ramp now and through the narrow race and out into...

Ahh. Merciful spacious pen and the soft turf underfoot. But wait, he can hardly believe it, there is another open gate and beyond it open pasture and the distinctive smell of cows.

He won't rush. It would be unseemly to rush.

He is Claudius Beef, he rushes for no-one. So he saunters, briskly, toward his open gate.