One hot summer afternoon a large, powerfully built police officer pulls into a rancher’s yard, gets out and asks a well weathered old gentleman near the barn who owns it. The old fella tells the officer that he does, and asks what he can do for him.
Don’t Go Into That Field
The officer informs the aged rancher, “I’m here to inspect your property for illegally grown drugs.” The rancher says, “Well now son, you just go right ahead. I ain’t got myself nothing to worry about. But, whatever you do, just don’t go into that there field over yonder,” pointing out a fenced parcel of land.
You See This Badge?
Well, the officer’s face went red, veins popped out on his forehead and getting right in the rancher’s personal space, he verbally exploded saying, “Mister, I’m a law enforcement officer authorized by the federal government of our nation.” Reaching into his pocket, he removed his badge and shoved it right in the old boy’s face roaring, “You see my badge, buddy? This badge means that I’m allowed to go wherever I wish, anytime that I wish. No questions asked. No answers given. Have I made myself perfectly clear? Do you understand me?” The rancher nodded his head yes politely, softly apologized, and went about his chores.
Screaming In Absolute Terror
A short time later, the old rancher was weeding his garden when he heard someone screaming in absolute terror – coming from where he’d told the officer not to go. He looked over at the pasture and saw the officer running for his life, chased by the rancher’s huge and very angry prize bull. With every step the bull was gaining ground on the officer and it appeared likely that the policeman would be gored by the bull’s deadly horns long before he could reach safety. The officer was clearly terrified.
Show Him Your Badge!
Realizing the horrible danger that the policeman was in, the rancher threw down his hoe and ran to the field’s fence as fast as he could, determined to whatever he could to help. Reaching the edge of the pasture, the old cowpoke quickly climbed to the top of the fence and waving his arms frantically, screamed at the very top of his voice, “Your badge, officer. Show him your BADGE!”
