A Detailed, Elaborated, and Evaluated Childhood Story

Henry Starer

“As I said, my mother, from the earliest age, had such confidence in us, that we were let loose, free, without shoes.  And you know…when they cut wheat, you know, there remains certain things, and it scratches you, you know, you step on it, you know?  But it didn’t matter.  And cows have a habit to relieve themselves in the fields, and the sun bakes it, the top at least.  And it’s very hard for a person, a kid who runs around to distinguish between the color of the ground [and the cow manure].  So you slip in that stuff too.  You know, and that’s why I bought my farm.  The smell of cow manure, I’ve associated with such good time.  Like if your mother used to bake something as a kid, and you pass a place, and you smell this, it reminds you of the enjoyment you had.  To me it was the smell of cow manure!  But you have to understand that—but to me also, because it showed me the freedom.  And I’m—and I think, part of this also helped me to cope with life, whatever life brought me, later on!”  (emphasis added)