***** SEASON ELEVEN *****
The Long Way To Ogden
Everything we ever worked for.
It reverberates in my mind. I know my life was fortunate so far. A loving father, dependable brothers, a roof over my head and a decent meal everyday. Sure I missed my mother in early years, but beside that I hardly ever had to want anything. I love our home. I love the ranch. Could we lose it?
Everything we ever worked for.
I’m scared. But I recognize the same fear in Hoss’ and Pa’s eyes and I realize, everything we ever worked for isn’t the ranch, it’s our family and that will last, always.
by Silver Sven
Old Friends
Morgan, you’re an awful suspicious kid. Don’t you get it? I honestly mean you no harm. Dag burn it, I even rescued your dad. Picking that bullet out of your pa’s ribs, making pancakes for you, boy and now you still want to tie me up for the night. You think I couldn’t have turned the tables if I was up to it? You’re doggone as stubborn as my two brothers or even worse. I simply longed for a few days off. Dag burn it, but before I’ll go and lay down on that bunk I have to go pee.
by Silver Sven
B ~ O ~ N ~ A ~ N ~ Z ~ A
Oh, no! Dag burn it! The day started that good. Being allowed to ride out for those line shacks means to get rid of my little brother and the whole ranch for a few days. Enjoying myself with the food Hop Sing prepared only for me, like fried chicken, ham, potato salad, a fresh loaf of bread cake, roast beef, … Dog gone! No, old Hoss of course must run into some stranger and feels the need to help them. Why couldn’t I just pass by? Nice old friends our Pa knows all over the world. Well, let’s go through it.
by Silver Sven
Danger Road
Talk to me, Pa. Help me understand. What happened? I don’t recognize you anymore. What’s that all about? You always taught us to be helpful even to strangers, to provide our support as well as to accept a hand where needed. What’s different in this case? What’s different with that man? He offered to help. He offered to bring down that timber. And you’re refusing. Pride never stood in a Cartwright’s way so far. What has changed? Well, go on like that. Be as stubborn as we all can be in this house. I see, we learned from the best.
by Silver Sven
Decision at Los Robles
Oh, God! Oh, God, not my pa! Please, not my pa! We shouldn’t have even been there; we should have rode on after watering our horses. I shouldn’t have mentioned getting a beer. I shouldn’t have stayed in the bar just to flirt with that pretty señorita. I should have gone with him when he left, then maybe this wouldn’t have happened.
This is my fault…all my fault.
The doc pulls the blanket up over my pa’s chest.
“H-how is it?” I ask him.
“It’s not good.”
Please, God, no! My plea mingles with the chanted prayers of the priest.
By Annie K Cowgirl
A Matter of Circumstance
It’s a good book, though, a good book. But it doesn’t matter anymore. Not in my case. I tried, Pa, I honestly tried. I’m sorry I failed. The circumstances weren’t in my favor. I’m so sorry. I won’t be worth much on the ranch one-handed, but maybe I will live. Pa, I wanna live!
‘The patients only chance lies in amputation’, the book says. Amputation. ‘or the patient will surely die’.
God help me, please! Give me the strength to hit hard enough. Hard enough to make the cut be strait. I won’t be able to lift the cleaver twice.
by Silver Sven
Truly marvelous little gems. I enjoyed them all, but the final one of Season One really gripped me, Beej.
These are amazing! I love the way writers squeeze extra bits out of the episodes and the sheer variety of style. Great job!
It’s so much fun not only to read but also to write these lines.
Hope some members go on expanding ‘Little Bit’. At least I will try. There are still some episodes to go.
I’ve read all of these and they are priceless! Some made me laugh but most made me think about the soulful sentiments portrayed so well in the little tid-bits! Thanks to all the writers involved for a delightful time!
I haven’t read all of season 1 yet, but I am enjoying these short stories.
What a clever idea for stories. These are wonderful. I’ve only just started to read them. Can’t wait to get to the rest.
You can thank Freyakendra for the original Little Bit idea that blossomed into this challenge.