It is Monday which is the day that I devote to the Mondays Finish the Story flash fiction challenge. The rules for this challenge are to write a story that goes with the photo and that one uses the opening line provided. The word limit is between 100-150 not including the opening line, which is in bold italicized letters. Here is the photo and my story!
© 2015, Barbara W. Beacham
“They followed the buffaloes and their babies along the trail heading into the woods.” The group was in Yellowstone listening to a park ranger.
“Back in the day, Native American tribes revered them. They only took what they needed,” he said. “Sadly, as folks migrated to this continent, they over hunted the buffalo, dropping their numbers from millions to a little over 1,000 by 1899. Conservation efforts have increased the population of buffalo to 500,000. Most are not true wild buffalo. They are a crossbreed of cattle and buffalo.”
“Here in Yellowstone, we have approximately 5,000 wild buffalo. These herbivores travel in groups led by the female. Babies are born in the spring and they nurse for eight months. By one year, they are full grown and independent. The adult males weigh in at 2,000 pounds; the females are 1,000 pounds.”
“Mommy,” said little Peter tugging at his mother’s sleeve, “can we bring one home?”
“No dear. We have to admire them here in their home.”
* * * * * * * * * * *
Thank you for taking a moment out of your busy day to stop in to visit! If you would like to join in on this challenge, click HERE!
Have an amazing Monday and be well… ^..^
Life in the Foothills 
Loved your story and how you incorporated the history into it. I didn;t realize until I researched my story how the white man used hired hunters to kill the buffalo to eliminate the Indians. They didn’t teach us that in school at least not ages ago. 🙂
No, they did not. We must have gone to the same school! I am glad you enjoyed my story Susan!
that was a great read Barbara – I learnt a thing or two today 🙂
🙂 Thanks!
Very informative truth wrapped up in a beautiful story ~ Well written Babs
Many thanks John!
Thank you for your kind words and visit to my post on the prompt.
I like the facts you provided. I also like the last line – that we should admire what is nature/natural and leave it space to live.
You are welcome! I did enjoy your story Jules! I am reminded of the statement that when you visit a place the only thing that you leave are your footprints. So, no taking souvenirs!
Her mother has the right idea. Wild animals are what they should remain.
They are indeed!
Back in the 80s, I visited Santa Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California and was surprised to find that there’s a herd of buffalo thriving on the island, left over from the days when westerns were filmed there.
Yes, they are still there!
Good for little Peter; he has the right idea – buffalo steaks on the BBQ.
Oh, Patrick!
Enjoyed reading this.
I am happy that you did, and thank you!
Important facts and a nice ending to the conversation between parent and child.
Thank you Emily! I get to see the buffalo in Yellowstone sometime over the summer! I cannot wait! 🙂
I had trouble getting access to story #17. There’s some problem.
Were you able to get to it?
Good story, Barbara. I learned something from this. I think the answer to true conservation is education of children to appreciate the wild animals still left. They can then educate their parents. Well done as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thank you Suzanne! Our newer generations should learn about conservation of not only the buffalo, but the earth, waters, air, and the list goes on… You be well! ^..^
Nice story and nice to hear how their numbers have grown. Little Peter should consider himself lucky to see them in their natural habitat, and that they are still roaming the Earth.
It is wonderful how their numbers have grown. Hopefully, the Yellowstone buffalo will continue to increase their population.
It’s awful to think that they almost became extinct. I didn’t realise their numbers got that low.
The numbers were indeed that low. Sad…
Great research on the buffaloes. Great interpretation on the story-😊.
Thank you SP! I had fun writing it!
[…] Trail’s End […]
Joy, you might want to change the link at “Trail’s End” from the Life in the Foothills blog to the Monday’s Finish the Story blog… Loved your story by the way!
Great story! Your statistics are probably correct. I went somewhat the same way as you but my numbers were from the top of my head. LOL
Thank you! You did well!
Thank you so much! Yours was great!
🙂 Thanks!
It is important for folks to know what happened to the buffalo. The whites thought exterminate the buffalo, exterminate the Native Americans.
Thanks for the acknowledgement!
Very informative, I knew these animals had been over hunted but hadn’t realised to what extent. So sweet that the little boy wanted to bring one home.
Thank you Sally! It is a sad tale indeed of what happened to the buffalo. In “Dances with Wolves” there was a scene where the buffalo carcasses littered the plains, skinned and heads missing. They rotted in the sun, and this was all for sport. Some sport! Mark Twain referred to this too in his story “The Lowest Animal.”
Might be a bit difficult to cram one of those into the car!!! But . . . out of the mouths of babes!
It would be! Maybe Mom bought him a souvenir at the general store in the center of the park…