Wild Animals Are Grateful
on February 1, 2016 at 8:53 am
More “wild animals” exist in the cities of man than in nature’s wilderness. Going to wars, fighting crime and evil as a cop, the effects of “civilization” have rubbed me into a certain hard-edged cynicism. Fact is, although I teach part-time at colleges, am a motivational speaker, must do a certain amount of publicity as an author, I’m still much more comfortable dog-sledding the Arctic, running the African veldt, sleeping under the stars in Egypt, living in the wild among wild animals than I am at a cocktail party or in a crowd.
When I met and married Donna Sue twenty years ago, friends told her, “You’ll find out Chuck doesn’t belong in a house.”
Donna Sue said I reminded her of Raven Wing, the strange kid who talked to animals in Rawlings’ novel The Yearling.
As a kid, I roamed the Ozarks. Mom stopped worrying about me; at least she didn’t let on. At ten or twelve years old, I’d come trudging home after two or three days in the wilds followed by my companions—perhaps a coyote I’d rescued as a pup, a crow or a hawk flying above or riding my shoulder, a skunk at my heels. . . They went wherever I went.
People said I was a strange kid; it seemed natural to me.
I live in the woods again, on a ranch where, until recently, I raised cows, trained horses and rodeo’d. Donna Sue merely shakes her head when I come in with a baby squirrel, a bird, a ’possum. . .
One cold winter, I discovered a starving female coyote curled up in my hay barn. I let her stay and fed her until she got back on her feet and the snow melted. She paused as she departed, turned and look at me a long moment.
Wild animals are always grateful, not so much with all people.
You cannot BE a writer unless you first develop the concept of what is necessary to BECOME a writer. In this book, I hope to help you find the pathway to success by exploring the five magic steps toward becoming a successful writer. . .
From Magic Steps to Writing Success by Charles W. Sasser, author of more than 60 books and thousands of magazine articles and short stories. Available in paperback and e-book from Amazon.com.
Chuck, I always figured you for a “wild” man—but a skunk whisper?
It always makes me break out into a wide grin when I read your stories. When I start moaning and groaning with old age pains, I pause, think about my adrenaline junkie Okie buddy that’s 14 months older, and feel ashamed for complaining.
Hey, Jim. I try not to complain–wouldn’t do any good anyhow. I simply thank God for having been so good to me all my life.
See ya,
chucksasser
A wild charmer, for sure!
Sally, you’re always so kind to me. I treasure that. chuck sasser
Chuck, you don’t know me but we met several years ago when you spoke to a group in OKC called OCPAC. When I read your stories I am there with you vicariously and they are always remembered. So glad you send them.
Jess Allen
Chuck, you don’t know me but we met several years ago when you spoke to a group in OKC called OCPAC. Vicariously, I am there with you when reading your stories and they are always enjoyed. Thanks for sending.
A feral child for sure … Yep, feral….