STUD FEE:

"I've heard about your stallion,"
     said this sweet voice on the phone;
"I've decided he's the right choice
     for this filly that I own.
I've got this little red dun mare;
     Ginger is her name;
She's got the finest bloodlines
     in the country," she explained.
"She's by Candy's Dandy Holey Sox,
     out of Rocket's Lucky Doc,
With Tinky Do on the bottom side
     and Poco Bars on top.
She's got one line
     to Three Eyes Brio,
Who was an own son
     of Impressive Leo.
"I like the looks on paper
     of your stallion's lines," she said;
"I'd like to make arrangements
     to bring her over to be . . . with him."
They made a pretty picture
     as they pulled into the yard:
A pair of pretty fillies;
     I held em' both in high regard.
"I hope he will be gentle;
     I hope he will be kind;
I'm really kind of nervous;
     you see . . . it's her first time."
She kept her eyes diverted;
    she scarcely took a peek;
I saw a tear go rolling down
     her soft and downy cheek.
It didn't take us very long;
     old Silver is a pro;
He finished up the job at hand
     and they were free to go.
"Thanks a million," she smiled sweetly
     as she prepared to drive away.
We hadn't yet talked money --
     so now I had to say,
"The stud fee is two-fifty."
     Her mouth dropped in dismay;
As her eyes widened in amazement,
     she said, "You mean Ginger
     has to pay?"

                    -----C. Duane Kerr