Profession: Cowboy<2>
There is no shortage of people who want to be cowboys. The profession has a very special reputation; it is different from other jobs, but it can be hard work, with long hours. Besides, many cowboys are not very well paid. It can also be a dangerous job.
Cowboys do not often fall off their horses, of course! They have to be excellent riders; but they carry guns for two reasons. Firstly, they may have to kill an injured animal - a cow or even a horse; secondly, they may encounter dangerous wild animals, such as rattle snakes. There are bears and wolves too, but they do not usually attack humans. Nevertheless, it is useful to have a gun, just in case.....
In the 19th century, cowboys used to drive cattle for hundreds of miles. Sometimes they had to take them to new destinations; sometimes they had to take them to market. Today, there are no more long cattle drives. These days, cattle are picked up in big trucks and taken to new destinations by road.
That is one thing that has changed. Another more modern idea is the "dude ranch".
Anyone who wants to can become a cowboy for a week or more, if he has the money. Dude ranches offer holidays to people who want to be part-time cowboys! Of course, dudes don't do much real work, but they enjoy the spirit of the west. [237 words]
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WORDS
shortage: absence, not enough
snake: serpent
dude: city man