minioti “oti’s story” written by john henry falle illustrations by antiochus omissi
there are three jersey cows who chew jersey grass, three lovely sisters, each top of their class. lou and red and oti their names, each a dab hoof at their own chosen games.
red is athletic and runs every race, she trains very hard to come in first place.
but even when losing, she never feels sore, she’ll make a splash next time, of that she is sure.
lou seeks for thrills from wherever they’re found, she surfs the rough seas as they roll and they bound.
but if she wipes out or just has a close shave, she gets right back up there to ride the next wave.
as for me (oti) well, i’m a big reader, i’ll read atlases, comics, and newspaper leaders.
but i love massive novels with wizards and rings, only reading a little’s a dangerous thing!
our red is a great sport, not boastful or cocky, though expert at basketball, football and hockey.
she always feels safe knowing there at her back, her team’s ever ready to pick up the slack.
when lou’s not out swimming she takes to the skies, and jumps out of airplanes, oh what a surprise!
one piece of advice before you follow suit, she always makes sure she’s packed her parachute.
if i want excitement i don’t go half-measures, i join expeditions to find long lost treasures!
i always search hollows, nooks, crannies and gaps, as i’m wary of setting off old booby-traps.
when snowboarding red shows off grace, flow and flair, she shoots from the ramp and twirls in midair!
but landing’s the tricky part, as well she knows, you can either land well or facedown in the snows.
climbing a mountain is no easy feat, lou may feel tired but her view will be sweet.
she’s conquered the summit but she can’t find the words, for what it feels like to be high as the birds.
i’ll make some great music or my name’s not oti! i’ll be the next beethoven! bach! pavarotti!
i’ll write a concerto - yes that is my goal! or else i’ll just jam out and play rock & roll!
red learnt from physics (to her satisfaction), all actions have equal, opposing reactions.
compensating for wind and the first law of motion, she’ll throw that old hammer way out to the ocean!
i wouldn’t attempt this latest wild task: going over the falls in a small wooden cask.
lou is a daredevil through and through, but i’d give this one a miss and i’m sure you would too.
one day i’ll go to space and i’ll see it all clear, the curve of the earth and the final frontier.
cos i’ve got this suspicion and i’ll share it in verse: we can’t be alone in this big universe.
so that’s all there’s to tell ‘bout the three jersey cows, the three lovely sisters, their whys, whats and hows. but i’ll tell you one last thing before my book ends: adventures are best when enjoyed with your friends.
