The Big Headache

War year of the woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous trails, fighting the many enemies of nature. This is the job of the Guardian of the forest, Ranger Bill, pouring rain, freezing cold, blistering heat, snow, floods, bears, rattlesnakes, mountain lions.

Yes, all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done. Have you ever felt sick and wondered what's wrong? Of course you have. Now most folks go to a doctor instead of just wondering.

But once in a while we run across someone who has a continuous ailment and that person refuses to see the doc. I know you think that's rather foolish, but it happens nevertheless. Now the problem is how to convince people like this that they need a doctor's help.

And sometimes that can be a pretty big order. I had a ranger who gave me this problem, and I had to get real rough on him to make him see common sense. I like to call this story the big headache.

Come on! Branch has him pinned down! Pull that branch away Henry. You hurt bad?

No, I don't think so, Gray. Well, that's good news. What's the matter with your ears, honey? You almost got driven into the ground by this tree. Yeah, didn't you hear Bill call out? I sort of heard him.

What do you mean you sort of heard me? Brad, don't you care if you live or die? Not when I got one of my headaches. I thought they went away. That's what you told me some time ago.

They did for a while. Now they're back again. My green? Yeah, the worst kind. I'd know I wish my head belonged to anybody but me. Feels like a thousand air hammers pounding away inside my skull.