Calf Path

[Guest guest]

The Calf Path – published 1896 by Sam Walter Foss – updated slightly.

Long ago, through the woods a calf walked home as good calves should.

It made a trail all bent and skewed, a crooked trail as all calves

do. Since then, two hundred years have fled, and now, I guess, the

calf is dead. But he left behind his rambling trail, which leads us

to this little tale. The trail was taken up next day by a lone dog

that passed that way and soon an old bellwether sheep led his flock

most half asleep; following the steps of that first calf. Through

those old woods they made a path. And then the town folks found the

route and walked it, winding in and out. They always muttered words

of wrath, like, “Curse this crazy, crooked path.” But still they

followed – do not laugh the trail left by that early calf; a winding

crooked path they stalked, because the calf wobbled when he

walked.This forest path became a lane that bent and turned and turned

again. This crooked path became a road where may a poor horse, with

his load, toiled on beneath the burning sun and walked three miles

just to travel one. The years flew by and in a beat the road became a

village street. Then, before they were aware, a city’s crowded

thoroughfare, where millions take their daily ride on super highways

six lanes wide! They zig and zag, where the little calf did, and

brake and swerve and slip and skid. And on they go, but not content,

the traffic of a continent. And though they still could cut in half

the path once taken by that calf, they choose instead, to follow –

not find – holding to the calf path of the mind. Today, folks still

trudge through the snow just like that horse from long ago. And like

that horse they wear their blinders, for they are followers, not

finders. Now you may say they’re quite insane for sticking to that

wandering lane. But ask yourself, if you will dare, do I ever

challenge what’s already there? Do I go forth and seek to change, to

chart a new course or rearrange? Do I lead or am I led by one calf,

now two centuries dead? But from them we must learn to do the things

we can to change our view. For we can gain from their mistake – and

choose with care the road we take. Oh, how our lives would flourish,

if we only could chart new paths through our daily words!

Smiles... Robert