Title: Gaucho Training
Source: FLASH FICTION FOR THE PURPOSEFUL PRACTITIONER- 2017 WEEK #15
Word count: 200 words
Rodrigo placed his hands on the cement barrier and hoisted himself up.
“¡Basta!” his father yelled from astride his favorite chestnut mare. Facón trotted up in front of Rodrigo. The reins were slack, as Papá continued coiling his riata with both hands. Facón knew Papá, she was his legs.
“Papá…” Rodrigo started.
“Mi hijo, this bull, he is feroz. ¿No? Your madre, she would kill me, muerto, if something bad happened.” Papá said drawing his finger across his throat.
“Soon, mi hijo, you will be on your horse next to me and Facón. Pero no hoy.”
Rodrigo let himself slip to the ground. There was no arguing with Papá. If he wanted to watch, it would be with both feet on the ground and looking through barbed wire. He watched Papá and the gauchos separate the bull from the rest of the herd. They branded him and quickly released him. The bull was not pleased and made a run at several of the gauchos. Papá and Facón deftly distracted the bull and sent him to a small enclosure where he could do no harm. Rodrigo watched, fascinated with their skill. He couldn’t wait to be a gaucho just like Papá.
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
Jo Hawk 
A wonderful story. He’s learning part of the skill from a distance and already preparing himself to be just like his father. This happens quite often …children following in their parents foot steps, yet sometimes their parents find that the child decides to go in a diffrent direction for their career. The parents may be pleased, or disappointed of the decision they make.
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Yes indeed. I have been hearing the gaucho tradition in Argentina is becoming a thing of the past. I suppose time will tell.
So glad you like the story. 🙂
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a scary skill to perfect. sad if its fading away though. lots of pomp and grandeur in this sport.
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Not so much a sport as a way of life, like the US Cowboy. With more and more cattle going to feedlots to clear the Pampas for soybeans there is less need for the gaucho. 😦
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Nicely done. You capture the flavor and tone of the scene well.
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Thank you.
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Excellent story! There’s a strong sense of the culture in the language.
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Thank you
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What a great take on the prompt! I could feel the young boy’s dream! Thanks for participating this week.
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Thank you for reading!
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