“Willy: One in Ten,” Beth’s story about a woolly monkey, published in Hippocampus Magazine
“Willy: One in Ten” shares a profound experience I had during a summer job as a zookeeper while in high school and the unanticipated effects it had years later on my career.
Tulsa Zoo ~1979: The veterinarian had asked me to bring in the Great Horned Owl—rescued and recovering after being hit by a car—for a treatment. I caught him with a net then grasped both of his legs in my right hand—wary of his sharp talons. I loved that job. (Scanned slide has dust on it.)
Inspiration and a Catalyst for Sharing Willy’s Story
Years ago, when I told the story about Willy to my nephew Robert Castle at a family reunion, his enthralled response drew others to our table.
That’s when a faint voice whispered, You should write about this.
San Francisco State University’s Sierra Nevada Field Campus
It was during Sarah Rabkin’s High Country Writing Retreat that I wrote the first draft of Willy’s story seated in a camp chair beneath tall firs.
Her prompt that morning to “write about a non-human creature with whom you are acquainted” was the perfect catalyst.
Thank you, Sarah.
(August 2018: Platform tent)
Spread the word if you know someone who might want to read “Willy: One in Ten.” Here’s a preview of the first 2 paragraphs.
(Click to read the full article.)
If there’s an important life story that’s been calling you to write it down, don’t give up. Start with one paragraph.
It’s not too late.
— Beth
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