Joe
had been a farmer all his life, growing up on Grappa’s helper. Joe learned to care for the land, for it was
the source of the family livelihood.
So
when the electric pickups came out, Joe bought one, because he had heard it was
good for the environment.
The
following year, electric tractors became avail be for farming. Joe knew he had to have on to help the
environment. That winter, Joe went to
the big city to look at the new electric tractors. It was just over 250 mile trip to the city.
Looking at the tractors, Joe decided which model he wanted.
Going
into the office, Joe filled out and signed all the paperwork. The dealer said they would deliver the new
tractor the following week. All excited,
Joe gets into his electric pick up for the trip home.
Out
on the road, Joe is as happy as can be.
It was a clear day, not a cloud overhead and the road is clear. About two thirds of the way home, the pickup
quit. Looking at the charge meter, Joe
saw he had run out of electricity.
Coasting
to the side of the road and on the shoulder, Joe parked. Getting out, Joe climbed into the back of the
pickup and uncovered the generator. He
gets the pickup plugged into the generator.
Gets in the pickup and lights up a cigarette to smoke while waiting for
his electric truck to charge up.
Finally,
late that night Joe gets home with his charged up electric pick up. Next morning as he was sitting at the table
have coffee, a smile was pasted on Joe’s face.
His wife glances across the table at the big kid grin and smile’s
back. She says, “ Ya know, you’re going
to have to get a bigger generator to keep the tractor charged up.” Joe looks at, nods his, and tips the coffee
cup back.
Delivery
day arrives and Joe’s chest is so big, it almost explodes. Local paper folks had been told about the big
day and were lined up in the yard.
The
semi rolls up and parks. They proceed to
unload the electric tractor, cameras were clicking and voices were abuzz. Soon the tractor was parked in front of its
new home and Joe’s face was beaming. He
was answering questions and pictures were being taken.
With
spring approaching Joe was itchy to try his new electric tractor in the field. Warm
weather was rolling over the land and Joe had prepped his plow and off to the
filed Joe and equipment went.
Driving
into the field, Joe set the plow in and began plowing. Down the row Joe went, Tractor easing actors
the dirt, Turing up fresh pled dirt. Joe
was so happy, but the ground was not ready yet.
At the end of the field, Joe stopped and parked for the day. Getting in pickup, Joe went home.
Couple
days later, Joe returned to the field and got in his tractor to start plowing
again. Down the field they went, fresh
dirt being turned and Joe sat there watching his daily program on TV. After a few hours, Joe was startled out o his
reverie as alarms and light galore went off.
Charge in the batteries was almost gone.
Joe was turning red as the electric tractor limped down to the end of
the field.
The
charge was almost gone. Joe gets into
his pick up to go home and get the charger he had just bought. Pulling out of the field, the yellow battery
light came on is his pick up. The
battery charge in the pickup was almost gone.
Hoping he could get home, Joe and pick up rolled on. About a half mile short of home the red light
came on and Joe coasted to a stop on the edge of the road. Joe gets his phone out and calls his wife and
tells her what has happened..
The
wife looks out the window and sees Joe walking towards the house. Putting her work aside, the wife heads out to
the shed to start the old utility tractor.
As she is backing out, Joe cams walking in and jumps on the tractor
besides her.
Out
onto the road they turn and off to hook up to the pickup. They get the pickup home and parked by its
charging station. Joe thanks his wife
and gives her a hug. Jumping on the
tractor, he backs into the shed to hook up the new diesel generator. Off to the field Joe heads to charge up his
new electric tractor.
