I am blessed to have a loving relationship with my eight grandchildren. We often spend time together, and there is a good deal of laughter. We enjoy teasing each other, and there have been many practical jokes played, over the course of many years.

Madeline, aged 7, recently asked, “What happened to your fingers, grandpa?” We were sitting at the dinner table, and it was obvious to her that I had two fingers bandaged up. I had a silly accident the day previous, and it had required some medical attention.

Not much of a story, really.

So, I whispered to Madeline, “I got hurt riding a bull.”

“A bull?” Her eyes got big. “How did that bull hurt your fingers?”

With all the drama I could muster, I told her the following story: “Well, I got down on his back in the chute. He was bucking around pretty hard. He was a mean one, with fiery red eyes and a steam snorting nose. I knew it was going to be a tough fight. I took the quirt and wrapped it around my hand real hard, so I could hang on tight. I didn’t know it, but I had that rope cinched down so tight that when the bull bucked me off it nearly popped off the tips of two fingers!”

“Grandpa,” she exclaimed, “You are too old to be riding bulls!”

“Tell me about it,” I said. “I am going to have to get a safer hobby.”

Then Madeline turned to her grandma.

With exasperation in her voice she said, “Grandma. Will you please, tell me the truth about what happened to grandpa’s fingers.” Mary said, “Honey, He hurt his fingers working on an old car. I can assure you that there was some bull involved in his story, it was just a different kind of bull.”

“I thought so,” Madeline answered. “Grandpa, I know what kind of bull that was, but I am not allowed to say it!”

Chuck Terrill, who has doctorates from Master Theological Seminary and Trinity Seminary, is the senior minister at First Christian Church in Cassville. He may be reached at 417-847-2460.