“What’s that Mr Craven?” said David pointing to the next field.
“That’s a cow, David.” “Will you take me on it?” he replied.
David had never seen a cow ‘til his class was on this picnic.
Mr Craven looked sorrowfully at David and almost cried.

David had special needs you see, compounded by deprivation.
His experiences were limited, his understanding meagre.
His circumstances had greatly restricted his learning.
But David was ever so curious and exceedingly eager.

Mr Craven explained that we don’t ride cows.
“They’re not the same as horses,” he clarified.
David said, “Why? They’re the same size.”
He knew then David was keen to get astride.

“Good point,” he quipped, “They are indeed, aren’t they?”
“I’m game if you are David.” “Too right,” he responded.
Mr Craven formed a plan and shared it with the lad.
On a mission to ride a cow teacher and lad had bonded.

They identified a docile looking beast near the gate.
To which they offered clumps of grass to help befriend.
David scaled the gate and cocked a leg over the cow.
While Mr Craven kept well away from its rear-end.

David decided to call his new best friend Francis.
Tenderly they strolled round the field together.
David wore a smile as wide as a river mouth.
Somehow Francis knew not to go hell-for-leather.

David’s experiences had reached unknown heights.
No one he knew had ever ridden a cow.
This is a tale about being aspirational.
So, please, David and Francis, take a bow.