[ WP ] The shortest story ever told . Once upon a time there was a magical place where it never rained . The end .

We sat around what any other time would have been a roaring fire. This was my sixth time across the pan handle with old Poke. Poke is what you might have called a real cowboy: tough as nails, nothing scared this guy. There was nothing he could n't handle. He was our guide, our leader, our cook. 
 
 It was 60 days, 1000 miles, and today was day 15. It had rained all or part of every single day since we started out. It was miserable. I was soaked to the core. There was n't a dry piece of tinder in 100 miles. What I would n't give for just a little fire. To feel the warmth of the flames, to hear the crackle of the logs. At least it had stopped raining for the moment. A chance to wring the water out of our coats, our hats, our socks. 
 
 We sat around huddled together. Without a fire dinner was cold tasteless mush. There was no coffee. As I looked around the circle, everyone looked as miserable as I felt. 
 
 `` Chin up boys, just a little weather.'' Old Poke said. `` Nothing to go crying to your mommas about. The trail's hard, but the pay makes it worth it.'' 
 
 Poke was right. They had paid me very well over the last few years. 45 more days, and I would be a rich man again. With this drive, I should be able to buy a ring for my girl. If she'd still have me. 
 
 `` Le'me tell you boys a story about a drive way back. We were a month into the drive and it began to snow. There ai n't nothing ever been worse than driving cattle through 2 foot of snow. You ca n't feel your toes, but you have to move on. The fella leadin' the drive went by Pops on the account of him Popp'n you in the face if you got on his bad side. He was one mean son of a...'' 
 
 The thunder rolled as the skies opened up again. 
 
 `` Damn it boys! The shortest story ever, Once upon a time there was a magical place where it never rained. The End. Now get your ass to bed. This herd wo n't move itself. We need rested folk for that.''
