The Cow Story

Stories from Remember Me.

For many months people came to my Tea Garden/farm requesting that I tell them ‘The Cow Story’.

The day before the Vet had come to the property to inspect our cows as I had reported one dead and two others very sick: the drought had taken its grip and the cattle had resorted to eating poison bracken fern and lantana. Another cow died while the Vet was there.

The remaining sick cow was in calf ‘only days away from delivering’ the vet said. ‘She’s very ill you must consider shooting her in the next day or so’ were his parting words.

On my way to look for the cow the next morning I discovered a dead turkey which I picked up and threw on the burning heap intending to deal with it later. I found the cow lying on the ground in the bottom paddock. I rushed back to the house to get my husband shouting, ‘Bring the tractor we must move her up to the cattle yard near the house’ (she appeared to be close to giving birth). We loaded her onto the top of the slasher and slowly drove back up the hill. 

Once she was comfortable I ran inside and telephoned the Vet who said to send your husband in (an 80km round trip) to collect some drugs to keep the cow alive until it gives birth. ‘We may be able to save the calf’ he said.

I kept busy boiling up comfrey to strengthen her, until I heard a car drive in; I went out dirt and blood on my clothes to say that I was not opening the Tea Garden because a cow was very ill and I needed to help her. The lady who I‘d never seen before said ‘do you believe in God?’ Yes I do, ‘come let us pray’ she said.

We went over to the cattle yard held hands and prayed out loud for God to hear our prayer. I remember thinking, God I hope I do believe strongly enough – the turkey rose off the burning heap, came and stood right beside me, the cow got to her feet uttered a great moan and gave birth to a beautiful little brown and white calf which dropped on the ground.

The visitors left shortly after and I never saw them again- I wonder if they still tell this amazing little story about believing in the power of the Holy Ghost.

 - Judy