Mutton Races

I worked the Star of Texas Rodeo tonight. It is an easy gig. We park our ambulance and are there solely for the cowboys. The cowboys are tough and mostly tended to by the Justin Healers. Even when a cowboy gets stepped on, thown in the air, bucked off, or run over and is lying on the ground barely moving, we just stand there until and unless we are summoned. We did not get summoned tonight. One of the events is the Mutton Races. Small children don a helmet and protective vest and are put astraddle a sheep. The sheep takes off running and the tyke holds on as long as he or she can. Tonight, a six year-old girl won the event. At the "award ceremony" she was given a beautiful belt buckle. Before she was handed the buckle, she was asked if she would give, first the clown, then someone else, a kiss on the cheek in exchange for the buckle. They have been doing this for years and they even ask the boys, but I think it is time to dump the practice of asking children to give a kiss in exchange for anything. Tonight's young lady said "no" both times. Clearly, she knew that these two people were strangers. I know you are thinking I am radical in this line, but I really believe this is one of those subtle ways children learn NOT to trust their instincts and at the same time learn it's okay to do something not quite appropriate if the bribe is big enough.