Weird Luke The Cowboy

Weird Luke was a cowboy

But a special kind of one.

He wore a cowboy hat and boots

But never used a gun.

He slept beneath the stars

And helped the cows when they got stuck,

But it wasn't from a horse's back

'Cause Luke would ride his duck.

Sure, the duck was small

And Luke got laughed at by the farmers,

But the duck was brave and loyal

With the strength of 20 llamas.

He rode his duck to town one day.

A town called Deadman's Creek.

He had to get his haircut

And his shopping for the week.

He hitched his duck to a post

By one of the saloons,

Pushed through the flappy wooden doors

And saw the bright balloons.

There were balloons of every colour:

Purple, yellow, green and red.

Luke wondered what was happening

Until the Barman said:

“It's Evil Jake's birthday

And things will get unpleasant

If he comes in and finds you here

And you've not brought a present!”

Just as the Barman stopped talking

The doors went flappity flap

And standing there right next to Luke

Was a nasty looking chap.

Short and round with shaggy hair

And great big bushy beard.

“My name is Evil Jake” he said,

“And I hate you 'cause you're weird!”

“Now today it is my birthday,

A day when I have fun.

A day for lots of presents

So have you brought me one?”

“No I didn't” Luke replied.

“I didn't know it was today.

I just came for a trim and food.

I'll just be on my way.”

Luke went outside to get his duck

And found a waiting crowd.

But his path was quickly blocked by Jake

Who shouted mean and loud.

“If you try and come back to town

Then you'll be out of luck.

Get out! Stay out! Don't come back!

You and your stupid duck!”

The crowd all gasped as they saw

The look upon Luke's face.

“Nobody says that 'bout my duck,

I challenge you to a race!”

“OK” Said Jake. “Let's start now.

We got no time for practices.

Over the bridge and along the gorge

Then back through the field of cactuses.”

Jake jumped upon his horse

A huge brown and angry steed.

It reared up and snorted loudly

Then shot off at super speed.

Luke did not chase after,

Confusing the townsfolk

Instead he climbed upon his duck,

Turned to them, and spoke:

“I know people call me weird
But folk of Deadman's Creek,
You really mean I'm special,
One of a kind, or quite unique!”

“You're weird but nice” a local said.

“Though your mount is beaked and teeny,

Every one in town is supporting you

To beat that mean old meanie!”

Luke then shook the reins he held

And duck quacked loud and frightening.

Then off he shot, the feathered beast,

Fast as a streak of lightning.

Jake was first to cross the bridge

On the edge of town.

Then he lit a stick of dynamite

And blew it to the ground.

When Luke got there the bridge was gone

But he knew just what to do.

He held on tight to his duck's neck

And across the brave bird flew.

After Jake went through the gorge

He blew the dam in two.

Water spilled to flood the route

So no one could now get through.

Luke arrived and found the way

Blocked by a great new lake,

But his duck jumped in and swam across

And began to catch up Jake.

Jake had to slow at the cactus field

In case his clothes got caught,

But Luke went underneath their spines

Because his duck was nice and short.

Luke and duck got back to town

To win and claim first place.

Jake slunk off to his hideout

With a great big sulky face.

The townsfolk stood amazed

And then everybody cheered.

“Hooray!” they cried, “Hooray for Luke!

Hooray for being weird!”