Book excerpt: Jackalope Tales

Excerpt from:
Jackalope Tales: Observations in the Field
Available: Golden West Publishers/http://www.goldenwestpublishers.com
Written by (fictional author) Albert J. Yellowtail, Ph.D.
Edited by: LinDee Rochelle ("real" author), MFL (Mistress of Fine Living)

"In no particular order, intended to educate and delight, I have included the most interesting of my many journal entries, spanning a lifetime of Jackalope studies. A personal note introduces each incredible day as I acquaint you with the wit, charm and intrigue that is the Jackalope."

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"Day 222, Grand Canyon, 7:42p.m.:  Well. It's been quite a day. I'm so glad to be back in my tent. It never ceases to amaze me how some people go around shooting things up, without so much as a thought about creatures other than themselves. We had a close call today, but all's well that ends well. AJY

Bush Saves Jackass

          It began as such a glorious day at the North Rim of the colorful Grand Canyon. I found a terrific spot to observe the bouncing and grunting of the Jackalope, as he explored the trail that runs along the precarious rim of the canyon's edge. His tail twitched at each new discovery and soon, he encountered one of the surefooted, wild jackasses that dot the trails. The big gray-brown animal seemed to enjoy the company of the Jackalope, though I could see his head shudder at the smell, when the funny-looking antlered fellow got close.

Today, I mounted my video camera on its tripod and followed the two of them as they bounded down the trail. The jackass seemed oblivious to the canyon's edge, picking his way carefully and steadily down the trail. Of course, the Jackalope had no problem. He bounded around the jackass, sometimes on top of him, but always careful not to interfere with his steps. After all, his instincts told him it would be a looooooong fall to the canyon floor.

          My camera had about run out of digital space and the Jackalope and jackass rested quietly between a couple of bushes, so there was really not much to see. I thought about packing up for the day, when Kablam! The crack of a rifle shot echoed across the great chasm's expanse.

Oh dear, I wondered. Where did that come from? Don't people know there is no shooting at the Grand Canyon? Local politicians made sure of that, years ago. Then two more shots. There was no yelling that I could hear, so obviously someone was just target shooting in what they perceive as wilderness. 

Though the ringing of the shots indicated the misguided tourist was too far away to have been aiming at me or my furry friends, I couldn't help thinking that bullets don't always find their mark and someone could get hurt. Sure enough, a split-second later, a stray bullet, still with enough velocity to reach the canyon's edge, whizzed through a nearby bush. It was headed straight for the jackass!

It bounced through the dense, full brush, slowing slightly on its wildly careening path through sturdy, leafy limbs. I watched as it zipped right under the tale of the jackass! Amazingly, it flew between the Jackalope's ears and finally gave out, a few hundred feet in the air over the canyon's yawning gorge. It dropped, silently. Whew! That was a close call!

However, it scared the jackass so bad that he leaped five feet in the air and almost right off the edge! He was about to follow the bullet into the depths of the Grand Canyon! Though usually surefooted, once a jackass loses his footing, he's just one big, heavy tumbleweed.

But once again, the Jackalope was quick in flexing his amazing abilities. He jumped in front of his friend, using his body's weight to give the big guy just enough thrust to keep him on the trail. The two of them rolled end-over-end a few feet, and bumped abruptly into the base of a big ol' oak tree. It was a miracle! They scrambled to their feet a little disoriented, but thrilled to be alive.

It all happened so fast and though the Jackalope surely helped keep his friend safe, there is no doubt in my mind - it was a bush that had saved this jackass!"