Mountain Hero

Way up in the mountain ranges,
where the bellbirds ring the changes,
and the Autumn deer are roaring
underneath the gum trees soaring,

There a lady known as Josie
runs a store so small and cosy.
meets the needs of passing strangers,
local folk and forest rangers,

Be it coffee, milk, or honey,
Josie's there to take their money,
Eggs and bacon, bread and butter,
lots of things to make a clutter.

Books and magazines and puzzles,
food for dogs and even muzzles.
Josie keeps the lot and then some,
and she has a smile so winsome.

Last weekend she has a visit
from a trio of what-is-its -
hands in pockets, eyes a-wander,
quite enough to make her ponder.

Josie feels a little wary
(three at once are slightly scary),
"Can I help you?" said politely,
"We're just looking," very brightly.

Picking up the magazines,
checking out a can of beans,
spread themselves in a triangle.
Josie's thoughts are in a tangle.

Round the milk fridge comes the leader,
(quite an ugly little bleeder)
Suddenly he catches sight of
something that will turn him right off.

In the doorway, neck hair rising
stands a cattle dog, surprising
him with unexpected coming -
in his throat, a sound is humming -

Not a growl and not a snarling,
(Roo is really just a darling)
"Err," exclaims the tourist fellow,
turning several shades of yellow,

"Nice dog, missus, " stepping quickly,
to his rear, and speaking thickly.
"Yes, he is," says Josie mildly,
"Sometimes he gets kind of wild, he

Chased a man the other Sunday -
made him run clear through to Monday.
Thought the man was not too trusty -
my, he moved, his feet weren't rusty."

"Err," the tourist fellow mumbles,
and I swear his stomach rumbles.
"How much for your chewing gum?
Yes, I'll have a packet - um

Think we'll make tracks, fellows, eh?
See ya, missus, have good day."
Out the door the trio shuffles,
giggles Josie quickly muffles,

"Good dog, Roo," she softly utters -
shuts the door, puts up the shutters.
Roo receives an extra portion
Thank you for his helpful caution

Of the out-of-towner, clearing
Down the track and out of hearing.
If you go up to the ranges,
hear the bellbirds ring the changes,

Ask our Josie for the story
while she takes her inventory,
of the three who learned a lesson
not with Josie to be messin'!

Copyright; Patricia Markey - September 2000
Email: pdmarkey@bigpond.com