Henry's Tractor

Henry Had Always Been A Little Odd

In 1936, the farmers in Blue Creek, Virginia knew their business. They counted on mules to pull the plow and things had always worked fine that way.

So when Henry bought the red Ford tractor, his neighbor knew he'd cracked. He refused to say what it cost, but it had to more than the best mule.

The first year, Henry spent more time under his tractor than on it. His wife worried and his neighbors chuckled. Though curious, Henry had always seemed bright. Henry did get his fields plowed that year - no more than before - but with plenty of extra work.

The second year Henry and the tractor reached a truce. Working together, Henry usually sitting on top now, they plowed twice the acres as the previous year. His neighbors noticed, more quietly.

The third year, Henry bought 275 acres from his neighbor Bill and hired an extra man. Around the feed store, it turned out that most folks had seen it Henry's way all along - got to be modern to get ahead.

And the Ford man started to get a few more visits from Blue Creek farmers.

By Michael Johnson
© 2007 First Plan, Inc.