Jacob had a small farm on the hills outside Picton.
He had sheep, horses and a dozen milking cows.
They were the Bos Taurus bred and could give 10,000 litres of milk a year.
His wife of 25 years Melissa said she was going out on a girls night out.
The problem was, after a few phone calls Jacob found out
That she was at the Mall shopping for sexy underwear with her boyfriend.
Jacob new the marriage was over.
After 25 years of getting up early to milk the cows and feed the animals,
She betrayed him with some loser boyfriend who meant nothing to her.
He decided to confront his situation and finished off a bottle of whiskey.
He then went into the cow shed and sat on a tripod milking chair.
Drunk as he was he found his voice and talked to the cows.
They were a little spooked but just mooed politely.
“Oh cows that are tide up and serve your owners well,
Is your life one of servitude or freedom.
You have all the grass you need and are treated kindly.
But are you happy? Are you cows happy? Are you girls even capable
of being happy?
I tried my best to look after you and get all the vet checks.
I moved you to higher ground when the floods came.
I tended to your every need. Who then is the slave here?
Am I the slave who has to care for you or are you the slaves that
give up milk every day?
I guess I don’t know.
But my Melissa knows. She has chosen a boyfriend who will let her down.
She has given up a good man for a bit of fun. She is not a slave.
I have a job to do. I will decide for you. I will set you
cows free.”
With that Jacob opened the shed door and guided the cows outside.
Some of them wandered slowly unaware of freedom or servitude.
Others ran as fast as they could and left the farm.
Jacob took his rifle and sat down again on the tripod chair.
He put the rifle in his mouth and pulled the trigger.
Morning came and the cows came in only to find Jacob
dead on the floor.
They mooed loudly wanting to be milked but he was gone.