How Farmer’s Tell Time

Years ago, I was a big city boy preaching in a small country town. I wanted to learn everything “country” so that I could fit in. As I was searching for Widow Jones’ farm, I got lost on the back roads. I saw a farmer walking into his barn, so I stopped for directions.  

He was just beginning to milk his cow but took time out to tell me how to get to the Jones’ farm. “By the way, ” I asked, “Do you know what time it is?” He leaned into the udder of the cow and said, “12:30.”  

I started to leave but I just HAD to know. I told him, “Hey, I’ve just moved from the city, and I really want to know the ways of the country. How could you tell what time it was?”  

“Sit right here on this stool, son.”  So I did.  

“Now, grab hold of that udder.” I did. (Before this, my closest experience to this was grabbing a milk carton).  

“Now lean into the cow and lift up on the udder.” I did.  

“Lean over and look right over there on that wall. See that’s a clock. When the little hand is on the 12 and the big hand is on the 6 it’s 12:30.”