Subject: Cowboys
Three strangers strike up a conversation in the airport passenger lounge in
Bozeman, Montana, awaiting their flights. One is an American passing
through
from Lame Deer. Another is a Cowboy on his way to Billings for a
livestock show
and the third passenger is a fundamentalist Arab student, newly arrived at
Montana State University from the Middle East .
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 here, 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 drawl,
"That's 'cause we ain't played Cowboys and Muslims yet, but I do believe
it's a-comin'." |
