In the Early Hours, by Sue Clayton

12/6/2020

The spotlight picked her out in a far corner. It was the early hours of the morning, in the middle of a snow blizzard, and I could see she was struggling. I knelt by her side, while my knees froze to the ground.

“It’s okay, love, I’ll help you.” She lifted her head, eyes trustful.

She wouldn’t last much longer so I got stuck in, boots and all, building up one hell of a sweat.

Finally it was over; she was exhausted but thankful. The ram lamb I’d managed to deliver bleated and wobbled to its feet.

12 Comments

Paritosh Chandra Dugar

12/6/2020 09:33:19 am

An inspiring act- well delivered.

Mary Wallace

12/6/2020 10:47:03 am

Nice one Sue.

Jim link

12/6/2020 03:54:37 pm

Nice - great surprise at the end! I like Paritosh's comment - well delivered! Spot on - ;-)
Jim

Swapan k Banerjee

12/6/2020 04:28:35 pm

The Birth of a Man by Maxim Gorky comes to mind. Your flash fic contains the germ of a full-fledged story, Sue.

Renate

12/6/2020 11:29:50 pm

Beautiful!

Sue Clayton

13/6/2020 01:32:31 am

Thank you to all the lovely people who chose to comment.

Maria Tonu link

13/6/2020 03:38:53 am

I grew up in the village and now I was in my childhood for a few moments. Beautiful story.

Sue Clayton

13/6/2020 04:20:51 am

Thanks Maria. Midwife is just one of a farmer's many skills and there's no greater joy than pulling a live lamb, saving both it and its mum.

Ed N. White

13/6/2020 08:30:10 pm

How wonderful.Why is it the lambing, and kidding, and calving always picks the worst days.Nature has a relentless schedule. I spent many cold mornings in the barn holding a newborn inside my coat while drying it with a hair dryer.I now live in Florida but miss the northern farm dearly.

Sue Clayton

14/6/2020 03:40:45 am

Thanks, Ed. And how many newborns end up being orphans and you become their parent, bottle feeding them and giving them all the TLC in the world.

Bobby Warner

15/6/2020 01:29:18 am

Great "twist" ending. Enjoyed this one!

Sue Clayton

15/6/2020 03:46:03 am

Appreciate your comment, Bobby.

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