Tikumu’s letter

Press, 14 March 1978, Page 16

Tikumu’s letter

Dear Children, Many of you may have watched the harvest being gathered on farms this summer. How quickly farmers can cut the corn and wheat and stack the hay! Their header harvesters move backwards and forwards smoothly and soon the paddocks are bare.

In the old days, before machines were invented, harvesting was slow and hard. Men and women had to scythe and reap by hand, and horses pulled heavy wagons laden with wheat and other crops. At these times, though, the good farmer and his horses worked together happily. The farmer understood his team of horses, was a friend to them, and controlled them surprisingly well.

He talked to his animals, too. If, for example, he wanted his horses to veer to the right, he

would call out some special words like, “Wug, wug”. When, on the other hand, he wanted them to bear left, he might say “Coom bidder,” and they would obey. Then the farmer might shout “Giddup there” or “Way”. The farmer gave each horse a name and called him or her by it frequently. And often he gave names to his cows, pigs, and other animals. Some popular names for horses were Duke, Champion, Captain, Kit, Pleasant, Punch, and Boxer. Favourite names for cows included Cowslip, Jumper, Daisy, Snowball, Buttercupt, Blossom, Princess, and Strawberry.

When we name an animal and talk to it, we show our friendship. A horse may work for us, a cow may give us food, but they are companions too. I hope you know an animal well.