Every corner of America holds a unique story, and today on Our American Stories, we’re sharing a truly special one called “The Quiet Cowboy,” by author J. D. Winninger. It all begins when a kind rancher reaches out to a reserved man named Mister John at church. What starts as simple talk about ranch life and working hard soon blossoms into an unexpected friendship, revealing a heartbreaking past and inspiring a profound act of compassion. This is a powerful American story about opening your heart and home, offering a much-needed second chance when someone needs it most.
Mister John finds not just a dry place to sleep, but a new sense of purpose at the Cross W Ranch. Though he’s a man of few words, his actions speak volumes – a tireless work ethic, a gentle hand with the animals, and a deep, quiet wisdom earned through a lifetime of lessons. From feeding critters to checking the herd, his dedication transforms the ranch and touches the lives within it. This heartwarming tale of real-life friendship, community, and the redemptive power of hard work reminds us that sometimes, the quietest souls can bring the most joy and blessings into our American stories.
📖 Read the Episode Transcript
Speaker 1: This is Lee Habib, and this is Our American Stories, the show where America is the star and the American people. And we love hearing from you, our listeners. Send your stories to OurAmericanStories.com. Here are some of our favorites. Today, we’re going to hear from author J. D. Winninger. He’ll be sharing part of a story he wrote called “The Quiet Cowboy.”
00:00:39
Speaker 2: I met Mister John at our church, a quiet fellow. He’d sit by himself near the back. He would only speak when spoken to, and I made it a point to seek him out each Sunday morning for about a month to spend a couple of minutes sharing with him. One morning, noticing the brand on my vest, he quizzically looked at me, “You got a ranch?” When I affirmed I indeed had a small ranch, his eyes lit up. “I grew up and picked him over, but Coomo.” Smiling, I replied, “I didn’t know that!” “That’s great cattle country over there, and good hay, too.” With a broad smile, he looked up. “My daddy, brothers, and I worked in the hayfields fourteen hours a day years ago. Ooh-whee, that was hard work! But hard work makes you healthy. I may call almost thirty dollars a day.” From there, the roots of friendship grew. As rie grew more comfortable with one another, I invited him to life grew. He shared he didn’t drive, and he wasn’t comfortable walking the streets after dark. I promised we’d carry him home, and he agreed to join us. When I learned where my new friend John lived, it broke my heart. It seemed red and persecution displaced him, and he was most grateful that a nearby church offered him a dry place to sleep and others a shower. Now and again, with no bathroom facilities and winter coming on, God placed a burden on my family’s heart to do more. It took some convincing him, but Mister John is the newest resident at our Cross W Ranch. As I’m getting to know my ranch foreman better each day, I’m learning more from him than he is from me. With a nod of his head, he states, matter-of-fact, “We’re burning daylight.” As he sits down beside me, I think to myself, “This fellow doesn’t talk much, but he sure is a good worker.” After early morning chores—feeding, watering, and herd checks—he glances my way. “Time to feed them critters,” and off we go to feed Bubba and the barn kitties, following a pat on the head and straightening Bubba’s rugs. It’s time for our breakfast. He pours his coffee in silence. “How do you want your eggs, Mister John?” “Scrambled, please,” a brief reply. It’s his usual response. “Oh, sometimes he’ll talk your ear off. I was a pretty good dairyman in my youth. I could work one hundred foot straight, a type of dairy barn by myself before sun ricks.” He isn’t bragging, but remembering his strong work ethic as a young man, that same spirit flows through him today, tempered with age and seasoned with wisdom from a lifetime of lessons. He’s quick to remind me, “I wasn’t always responsible, though. I quit my dairy job, not because I didn’t love working them old cows, but because it wasn’t fair to them or a boss.” “They deserved someone more responsible than I became.” I thought, “I wish we could all be that honest with ourselves.” He’s cleaned up the old bunkhouse, and he’s made himself a great apartment. Mister John is an answer to prayers to help around the ranch. I’ve never seen the barn, garage, workshop, and bunkhouse so sparkling and clean. Neither has my Miss Diane, much to my surprise. Together we tackle all the chores that need doing around the ranch. I love his work ethic, attention to detail, and can-do attitude. It’s been years since being blessed to work with a self-starter who not only thinks for himself but does every task with skill, precision, and professionalism. Our cattle and other livestock adjusted to him quickly, as he exhibits the same calm, easygoing nature I handle them with. When I glance over to check on him while we’re doing separate tasks, I see a mixture of joy and satisfaction on his face. When we’re not working, he keeps to himself. On sunny days, I’ll find him sitting outside in the sun, reflecting upon life. At other times, I find him listening to music, reading his Bible, or reviewing his Sunday school lesson. He wanders out to the barn or a pasture to check on things. Every afternoon, I find him out there offering a treat to Maverick the Bull or visiting the donkeys. There’s such a peace about him when he’s outside in God’s country, as he likes to call it. I can’t tell you how many times he has said, “I never dreamed I could ever do this again.” When you find him sitting along with the animals, he seems to look into the distance, pensive, contemplative, as if he’s reconciling his life. I sometimes wonder if he’s thinking about the past, thanking God for the present, or wondering about the future. Perhaps it’s all those things, but John is quick to tell you there’s a reason the rearview mirror is so small and the front window is so big. Watching him hold a newborn calf, cradle its head in his hand, as he reaches down to nuzzle its nose and softly talk to it, his gentle soul is on full display. Surely God is redeeming his years. Since hiring on here at Cross W, Mister John has not only made my life easier; he’s brought an infectious, childlike joy of discovery into our everyday. The way he fusses over Miss D and spends time with Bandit the cat and her litter of kittens, he expresses his gentle heart in so many ways. To see his smile and hear his “woo-hoo!” when I gave him his own ranch business card and a prayer rug with our brand on, it was priceless. In his usual laconic manner, he clutched the shirt and muttered, “Reckon I’m riding for the brand now.” He is a tremendous help to me. He brings joy into our home, and God’s blessings keep pouring in. As is often the case, I suppose the mentor can end up being the one who learns the most.
00:07:05
Speaker 1: And a beautiful job on the production by Madison Derricot, and a special thanks to J. D. Winninger for sharing the story of Mister John, a.k.a. “The Quiet Cowboy.” The fella doesn’t talk too much. J. D. said of Mister John that he sure is a worker. By the way, to read more of this story and others, go to JDWinninger.com. “The Story of the Quiet Cowboy” here on Our American Stories. Here at Our American Stories, we bring you inspiring stories of history, sports, business, faith, and love. Stories from a great and beautiful country that need to be told. But we can’t do it without you. Our stories are free to listen to, but they’re not free to make. If you love our stories and America like we do, please go to OurAmericanStories.com and click the donate button. Give a little, give a lot; help us keep the great American stories coming. That’s OurAmericanStories.com.
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