The Cowboy way. . . . . . . . . .
Three strangers strike up a conversation in the small Odessa, Texas airport lounge, while awaiting for their respective flights.
One is an American Indian passing through from Four Corners.
Another is a Cowboy on his way to a livestock show in San Antonio.
The third passenger is a fundamentalist Arab student, newly arrived from the Middle East, on his way to The University of California at Berkley.
Their discussion drifts to their diverse cultures. Soon, the two Westerners learn that the Arab is a devout, radical Muslim and the conversation falls into an uneasy lull.
The cowboy leans back in his chair, crosses his boots on a magazine table and tips his big sweat-stained hat forward over his face. The wind outside is blowing tumbleweeds around, and the old windsock is flapping but still no plane comes.
Finally, the American Indian clears his throat and softly he speaks, "At one time, my people were many, but sadly, now we are few. "
The Muslim student raises an eyebrow and leans forward, "Once my people were few, " he sneers, "and now we are many. Why do you suppose that is? "
The Montana cowboy shifts his toothpick to one side of his mouth and from the darkness beneath his Stetson says in a smooth drawl "That's 'cause we ain't played Cowboys and Muslims yet, but I do believe it's a-comin'. " |
