How to Spin Your Way Out of a Tall Tale

Everyone knows that fishermen are known for stretching the truth, a tad. I’m here to tell you that hunters can give ‘em a run for their money in that department. One day a bunch of the guys were standing around the John Deere store reminiscing about the last seasons’ hunting trips when Judge Allen and his wife arrived. Greetings were exchanged and the talk resumed. The good judge’s ears perked up upon hearing the subject.

Soon he was front and center, regaling everyone with tales of his wild game hunts in Africa. His wife stood there quietly at first. Then she rolled her eyes and asked him to remember that they had came in after a play tractor for their grandson, who was turning five the next day. “They’re expecting us at the party,” she said. “This year,” she added.

The judge smiled and continued to warm up his audience. Once he had ‘em where he wanted ‘em he began to describe one particular incident in detail. It was the time he came face to face with an angry elephant in the deep dark jungle. The way the Judge told it, the two of ‘em, man and beast, locked eyes— Tarzan style— until the big mammal finally backed down and walked away.

Mrs. Allen huffed and rolled her eyes, “Oh, really,” she said, “That’s strange. I’m not familiar with that story, honey, but I do remember the time you called home and told me that your guide had to blow the jeeps horn to protect you and the rest of the group from a curious elephant that wandered too close to camp.”

That little correction would’ve embarrassed some people. It didn’t faze the judge who just smiled fondly at his wife. “Why, dearest,” he said. “The incident was one and the same, but I couldn’t have you worrying your pretty little head about me clear across the ocean, now could I?

~Shellie