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Sober and Seeking Mule

I, Bernie Harberts, did not use generative AI to write or illustrate this article. Spell check and grammar check, yes. AI, no.

He leaned out his pickup window and said, “I’ve been sober 2 years now. I bought this pickup for $200 but I want a mule.”

Man talking to Bernie Harberts about wanting a mule in Nebraska.

But mule ownership had eluded him. He said, “the people in this town don’t want me to have a mule. I don’t know why.”

I told him I couldn’t understand either because I’d just slept in his town with my mules and it seemed to make everyone happy.

Bernie Harberts mules Brick and Cracker on Nebraska roadside during chance encounter with mule seeking stranger.

“You’ve got it lucky,” he said, “because you don’t have to buy no gas, insurance or tags.”

Then he asked me, “can I ride your mule” and I told him no, I didn’t think that was a good idea.

He really wanted a mule.

I wished him the best finding a mule and rode out of town on mine.

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