Lessons from the mustangs and Jim

Many moons ago, while be'n a glutton for punishment, I made a trip to the wild horse corrals near Sparks, Nevada to get a couple of broomtails. While wait'n on things to happen, I noticed a black man showed up to guard the gate. Seemed a little bored there all by himself. He had to check on everyone's invite 'cause some radicals were lurk'n about to disrupt proceedings.

Anyway, I moseyed over to chat with him, introduced myself, he likewise sez his name was Jim. I shook his hand, looked him in the eye to let him know I meant it. No sense beat'n around the bush. I asked him if he had a spiritual life.

Sez Jim," I was raised thataway by my Grandma. Told to always obey those in authority and was sent to Vietnam. Was told I had to kill the Communist. The young Viet Cong was told to kill the American Imperialist. I guess we were fight'n over rubber or something."

Jim suddenly became quiet. So I changed the subject to horses.

Yes, he enjoyed feed'n the wild ones. It gave him peace of mind to forget things. I guess what Winston Churchill said is true, "The outside of the horse is good for the inside of the man."

Don't you know, all the money the Fed government spends on those wild horses, they should do something sensible. Like have several places where Vets deal'n with the trauma of war could train some of them. Lots of folks would take 'um. Who knows, might just save many of those Vets that now commit suicide.

After a spell with our visit, I encouraged him to find some good Christian fellowship, shook his hand and left to check on my status.

Two years later there I was (a glutton for punishment again) at the corrals to get a couple more wild ones. Upon entering the office who would I meet but Jim. He recognized me right off, smile on his face and sez, "We had us quite a talk." That we did Jim, that we did.

We were but two responsible human beings - not white, not black - that could see the sincerity in each other. It's what America needs right now before racism tears us apart.