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GOOD morning. He was young and sophisticated; as he moved a faint cloud of Drakkar wafted from his pea green Armani suit. The sun glinted on the gold highlights in his carefully disordered hair and the leather of his country boots gleamed as he stepped out of his sleek Bentley Azure convertible.
***
THE cultured voice spoke: “I’ve invested millions in cattle farm technology; if I can guess the exact size of your cattle herd, will you give me one of your calves?” The outback farmer looked at him with amusement, shrugged his shoulders and responded: “Why not?”
***
SO the immaculate young man produced a brace of technological marvels – calculators, virtual cattle farm projections and so on – and busied himself to the accompaniment of an impressive barrage of flickering lights, tones and harmonious pulses. In no time he turned to the laconic farmer propping up the fence. “You have exactly 1,567 cattle on your property,” he declaimed.
***
“WELL mate, you’re absolutely right,” drawled the squatter, “so go and select yourself a calf.” The young man nimbly climbed over the fence surrounding the herd and carefully examining the calves made his choice, dragging it to the back seat of the Bentley.
***
SUDDENLY the air was rent with angry animal bellows coupled with shrieks from the young man, who finally emerged wildly disheveled, the Armani suit hanging in tatters and his limbs spattered with blood. “Yeah, right,” the squatter said. “Now if yer’d be kind enough to give me back me bloody blue heeler, you can climb back into yer bomb and buzz off … C’mere, Bluey.”
***
CORRESPONDENT Graym is presently overseas, but stays in touch. He notes: “This morning I was watching an item about a compound in the cannabis plant that is reportedly beneficial for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Interestingly, some years ago at Karowari Lodge, there was a team of US doctors doing studies on malaria; apparently there’s a compound in the betel nut that is also helpful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s.” Thanks Graym – there’s many possible medical benefits that may be obtained from PNG plants and herbs; more investigations are needed. Cheers!
***
– Dee Nesenolis
Editorial