DLTK's Children's Stories
Wild Horse Jack and the First Stampede Breakfast

Once upon a time, in the wild and wonderful west of Canada, there lived a cowboy named Wild Horse Jack. Jack was not just any cowboy - he was the most fearless, the most generous, and the strongest cowboy in all of Alberta.

Jack had a magic touch with horses. He could take a wild horse that had never seen a saddle, and with patience and kindness, he would teach it to trust him. Even the most stubborn of horses would eventually become as tame as a kitten under Jack's careful hand.

One day, a letter arrived from a man named Guy Weadick in the city of Calgary. Guy was planning a big event, a celebration of all things cowboy, and he wanted Jack to bring some of his magic to the city. Jack thought about it and agreed. He decided he would not only bring his horses but also a piece of cowboy hospitality.

So, Jack rounded up his horses and a group of cowboys from his ranch, the CX Ranch. They packed their wagons and set off to Calgary. Among the things they carried were bags of flour, barrels of syrup, and crates of eggs. They were going to bring a true cowboy breakfast to the city folks.

When they arrived in Calgary, the city was bustling with excitement. Everyone was eager to see the cowboys and their horses. But what really caught everyone's attention was the delicious smell wafting from Jack's camp. The cowboys had set up large griddles and were cooking up pancakes and sausages, just like they would on the ranch.

Just as the first fluffy pancakes began to bubble on the griddle, a small crowd started to gather. Among them was a shy little girl named Lily, who had never seen a real cowboy before. She watched wide-eyed as Wild Horse Jack flipped pancakes high into the air with a smile.

Lily was curious, but she was also a little scared. She had heard stories about wild cowboys and their wild horses and wasn't sure if she should trust them.

Seeing Lily's hesitation, Wild Horse Jack walked over to her with a soft smile, a golden pancake in hand. He knelt down to her level and said, "You know, little lady, this here pancake is a magical one. I flipped it extra high, and it caught a piece of the Alberta sunshine on its way down. It's guaranteed to make your day brighter."

But Lily still looked unsure, so Jack came up with a funny plan. He balanced the pancake on his wide-brimmed cowboy hat and said, "Look, this pancake is so light and fluffy, it can even dance!"

With that, he started to bob his head, making the pancake wiggle and jiggle on top of his hat. Lily couldn't help but giggle at the sight of the big, strong cowboy with a dancing pancake on his head.

Seeing Lily's laughter, the crowd of city folks started to relax. They laughed and clapped along as Jack made the pancake do a funny dance. And when he finally flipped the pancake off his hat and caught it on a plate, they cheered and clapped even louder.

Emboldened by Jack's silliness, Lily finally accepted the pancake. And oh, it was the most delicious pancake she had ever tasted. Jack was right - it did feel like eating a piece of sunshine!

From that moment on, the Stampede breakfast was a hit. The city folks saw the warmth and fun in the cowboy's spirit, all thanks to Wild Horse Jack and his dancing pancake. They lined up to taste the delicious pancakes, smothered in sweet syrup, and the sizzling sausages. It was a meal like no other they had ever had, cooked with love and served with cowboy charm. And every pancake was flipped by Wild Horse Jack himself, who smiled and chatted with everyone who came to eat.

The Stampede breakfast became a beloved tradition, a symbol of the warmth and generosity of the cowboy spirit. And everyone remembered the tall, strong cowboy who started it all, Wild Horse Jack.

And so, even today, many years later, the people of Calgary still gather every year during the Stampede to share a delicious pancake breakfast, reminding everyone of the legacy of Wild Horse Jack and his cowboy hospitality. And they always remember to share with others, just like Jack did, because that's the cowboy way.

And that, dear children, is the story of Wild Horse Jack and the first Stampede breakfast.

Printable version of these instructions