bodriversblog:The rancher pulled into his property with his nephew by his side. He had the next 15 m
bodriversblog:The rancher pulled into his property with his nephew by his side. He had the next 15 months to turn the boy into a man.“Look around at this place, boy. It’s where I grow my prize-winning cattle. My bulls placed first in county for the past 6 years, but this time—I guarantee you—one of my Herefords will be wearing that grand champion blanket at the State Fair. And you’ll be there to share my victory. You know the secret to raising strong and healthy bulls? Good corn, pure water, and plenty of exercise.”That summer, the rancher treated his nephew like he treated his cattle. The kid’s food intake was strictly controlled: he wasn’t allowed to waste any food, nor was he allowed to buy his own. And he could only drink water from the spring that was on the property. The rancher said it was the secret to his health and his healthy cattle. The rancher was also strict about the boy getting his exercise. Not only did he force his nephew to do hours of chores (and always shirtless, “like a real man”), but he made him try out for the football team.At first the boy resented his uncle, but when the State Fair came along and their bull won Grand Champion, the boy began to admire his uncle’s virtues—his work ethic, his corn-fed vigor, and his singular vision to mold the perfect bull. The boy actually started to envy the rancher’s bulls for all the attention his uncle paid them. So he fully committed his body to his uncle’s commands. He followed his diet, drank the spring water, did his chores, and went to football practice. He didn’t complain when his uncle took him to the cattle’s veterinarian for his physical and immunizations. He didn’t question the supplements the vet gave him. If they were good enough for the bulls, they were good enough for him.When winter came around, the boy tried out for wrestling, and in the spring, he was a discus thrower. When summer rolled around with another state fair, the boy was excited to see his uncle’s bull win another grand prize. But his uncle told him he had to attend a different show—and with his shirt off. When he found the location, there were other young men—all powerfully-built, corn-fed country boys, and all with their shirts off. He was told to stand still as strangers felt his muscles or made measurements throughout the day, until finally a man presented him with a ribbon around his neck. After pictures were taken, he saw his uncle for the last time, as an older man tied his own rope around his neck, before taking him home. The man was his new master, who milked the boy for his state fair grand champion seed every day. -- source link