A HUNTER ONCE (lesson of the heart)

Short Story … my second posted in a row. A true story about me as a young lad awakening to a sense of compassion. I write very few stories and this will, probably, be my last for some time to come.

Author's Note

I sincerely hope you have found favor in this rare true story piece by me.
Illustration from Wikimedia Commons.

"Big THANKS go out to Relic for helping me with Edits and Suggestions."
Thank you, Tim 😃

Please, feel free to offer constructive critique. ✍

Reviews

[Lisasview]

Delighted to read your first short story this evening here in Tarragona, Spain.
Even though your story is about geese and their committed connection in life, this notion rings true for many other living things....Swans for instance and of course many humans feel this way as well.
I absolutely loved your story... Wonderful story telling at its very best.
Everyone that reads this will most definitely feel the deep connection that you have so well described.
We humans call it love...but then again what's love got to do with it...as proven by the geese and gander...
there is a bound..unspoken..connected...
Lisa

[Richard🖌]

Such a delightful pleasure, Lisa 😃

Receiving such intimately understood sentiments makes this little factual tale all the more interesting and capable of appreciation.
I've lived with the memory of this story for so very long, wanting to put it to paper, that in writing my first (award winning) Short Story, 'HOMEMADE FORT," I was inspired to finally do it.
Lisa, I am so thrilled you loved the is little tale, and that you thought it to be storytelling at its best … thank you. : )

Big HUGS! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Richard🖌]

Typo: loved "the is" little tale = loved "this" little tale

[Lisasview]

Oh well, typos are so easy to make..right..
Lisa, early here in Spain

[Audrey M.]

Truly loved this story. It felt like I was there seeing it all happen as you describe. Sad to learn that the goose was calling out to her mate. You're father showed her a kindness, I think. I'm not very good at critiquing, I just love to read and share my thoughts.

[Richard🖌]

Ohhh!

i see, you've read and reviewed this one, already; and, a lovely, intriguing, encouraging, and appreciated review it is … thank you ever=so warmly and gratefully, S-1.
Sorry, M'Dear, for being so late in commenting for you, but the site (sometimes) does not send notice of reviews, and the only way I to discover I have one is by stumbling onto them.

I love being enjoyed by a true writer! : ) ⁓ Richard 🍃

[barleygirl]

It is our great loss that you don't write stories often & here you proclaim to never write another! I know you prefer poetry, but I prefer your prose by a long shot. You are so effusive in the way you express details, imagery, feelings, & methodology in your writing, so packed, we are totally immersed despite this being a fairly brief read. It's the perfect snapshot & bitesize piece for those (with short attention spans) who would shy away from longer stories. Here's hoping you & your loved ones are enjoying a lovely Christmas week full of affection & togetherness (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Richard🖌]

Dang, Margie! 🙄

Sorry, Dearest, for missing your wonderfully encouraging, approving, appreciative, and broadly descriptive words of introspection regarding my humble writing skills … for a gratefully hopeful olde bard, coming from an accomplished writer on your level, I'm melted into my proverbial socks. ; )
About my proclaiming that I'd never wrote another story, what I actually said was, "I write very few stories and this will, probably, be my last for some time to come."
Still, I'm blushing more than a little that you think it would be a "great loss" that I "don't write stories often" … bless you, M'Lady.

Happy New Year, M'Dear, filled with a bushel basketful of happiest cheer!
Thank you-thank you-thank you! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Susan 🦋]

Your story telling is as wonderful as your poetry! ( you should write more * hint hint)
Yes, I am aware geese mate for life... I had somewhat of a similiar story.
Here in Wisconsin, we are surrounded by lakes/rivers/ creeks... so, lots of geese. Lilly was about 3 or 4 yrs. old when we came across a gander that had been it by a car. His mate was in complete distress. She would not leave his side.Lilly somehow knew, as was completely inconsolable. To this day...it will bring tears to her eyes when she remembers.

[Richard🖌]

Gosh, Dear Susan 😔

Such a sad story you've shared of You, Lilly, the unfortunate gander, and his desperate mate. And, you're so very correct; one never forgets a moment like it that strikes a compassionate heart and soul.

Thank you ever-so kindly and sincerely for reading my little story and relating your own … blessings to You and Lilly! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Dave Brown]

Very interesting and moving account
With respect, I have spent a great amount of time in the woods but have never wanted to hunt or kill
That is a beautiful bit of artwork
Take care

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dave, most humbly and gratefully.🌿

I, too, have spent as much time in the great outdoors and Texas forests as life, environment, and circumstance will allow. It's a partly where my soul dwells.
In Texas, I think the majority of boys, and increasing numbers of girls, learn to hunt from the time they can hold a gun safely, aim, and hit a target … it's, almost, a rite of passage handed down from father to son; now, daughter. I once loved to spend time out of the Houston ghettos hunting and fishing with my dad, but I no longer do … it seems to have ceased being a spiritual experience for me. Though, without hunting the deer (and other species), they would starve and perish from over population. So, there is definitely a worthwhile purpose in it; plus, there's the benefit of meals furnished for so many who live off the grid.

Thank you again, Dave, for reading this wee story of my youth, and for your inspiring words in shared sentiments! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Samuel Dickens]

Memories such as this are most precious. My dad introduced me to hunting, also, and the hard parts included. Having lived in South Texas for several years, I'm a little skeptical of how "cold" it was. Still, it's a fine story about father and son bonding. Irreplaceable, that is.

[Richard🖌]

Greetings, Samuel 🤜 ✫🤛

It's so very nice to receive your fine review of this little learning spot in my youth, and to share your own.
True, what you say of South Texas weather … still, you know what they say, "If you don't like the weather, sick around for a day or two and it'll change."
Where in South Texas do you hail from?
Born 'n bred in Houston, I've seen winters that never got below the 40s and I played gold all winter, then weeks it was so cold steel pipes froze and burst.
The last year I went goose hunting a norther blew in Saturday evening, with 40-50 mph winds at 28°and a windchill factor of just below 9°F. Matagorda Bay is quite shallow, from 3 to 12 feet. When we arrived Friday night, it was alright, with 20-25 mph north winds (which is typical duck and goose hunting weather), but by early Sunday morning it had gotten so bad my dad was pouring shots of Old Crow down me to keep me warm (him, too, of course) and we knew if we didn't leave soon we we'd be in real trouble. The north wind had blown the water so far south we had to pull the boat half way back to shore because the propellor kept hitting mud, kicking the 35horse Evinrude so hard it almost jumped off the transom into the boat. We both had a rope over our shoulder, struggling against the wind until the water got deep enough to crank the motor and get us back to Palacios. I stepped off in a deep hole and filled my waders, but kept pulling anyway and the water froze in my hair … LOL! That's a story, altogether too painful to recount here.
I was never so glad to be in a car than I was when my dad cranked it up and turned on the heater. Much to my hurt boyhood ego, he had to load the boat by himself, but he never said a word about it all the way home. In fact, he bragged on how much help I'd been and we bragged about the geese we bagged, but not our full limit.
We had two northers and two heavy statewide snowstorms blow in that year, with temperatures in the sub-zeros in parts … the coldest winter in South Texas I can remember, and "I'll" sure never forget it … LOL!
Yes, it freezes in South Texas, believe me … if you don't, stick around awhile. 😃

My dad's been gone for a number of years now, Samuel, but I'm sure, like you and yours, I'll never forget him and all the lessons I learned from him … I do miss him at times.

Bless our dads, and thank you, My Friend, for reading and reviewing my adventurous little short story. ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Richard🖌]

"played GOLF all winter", not gold … sheesh!

[Samuel Dickens]

Of course it's all relative. I saw freezing temperatures there, too. (Stationed at Naval Air Station Beeville from '80 to '83. Corpus Christi from '86 till retirement in '88, then stayed on until '95) It doesn't take much low temperature for that damp, brisk Gulf wind to chill you to the bone. I'm just saying that a duck hunter from say... Minnesota, might say, "Oh, but you had it easy..."
Can you believe it's almost December and I still have jalapenos growing in my little garden? A few tomatoes, too. Where has winter gone?

[Richard🖌]

Well,
Texas misses you. : )
Point well-taken.

[Relic]

I learned something new about geese, Richard. This is a moving story with a picture that gives the story a feel for classic literature. I've enjoyed each of your stories and I would like to see more from you sometime in the future.

Loved it.

There were a couple of spaces I'd have used some different wording but I'll get back to you on that. :)

[Richard🖌]

Hey, Tim 😃

Good to see ya again so soon.
There's nothing better than being told something I wrote taught someone something new … it's a kind head-pet, because I know so little others don't.
I am overjoyed to know you've enjoyed both of my stories, My Friend, and I may write another in the not too distant future.

Since reading your review, you've generously helped me turn this into a much more better piece; so, I most gratefully thank you for your generosity.

With a bushel basketful of blessings 'n smiles! ⁓ Richard🍃

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Richard for sharing the story. I didn't know geese mated for life. My grandchildren are afraid of them. They protect their babies.
Coyote

[Richard🖌]

Hey, John 🤜✲🤛

Good to see ya, My Friend.
You are certainly welcome for the story, and I thank you back for reading me and leaving such an interesting review.
Your grandkids have good reason for being afraid … geese are strong and powerful birds, with very sharp bills, who will defend their territory and young to the death, and they're intensely aggressive when doing so.
They make great watchdogs, too, with their loud, persistent honks.

Bless, you and the rest of your weekend! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right Richard and Have some fun. Be safe my friend.

[Cherrie]

It's wonderful to see life through the eyes of our 14 year old self. Old enough to see but still so tender. I loved your memory, I'm so glad you shared it with us.

[Richard🖌]

Cherrie, I'm ever-so grateful for your nice review,

It is truly rewarding to know you've found a bit of wonderment to feel and love in this tender, heart-touching story.

Weekend blessings to you, Lady-Author, and a sincere thank you for reading me again. ⁓ Richard 🍃