In der Familje
[Oct 12, 2009]

 In unsrem Dorf sin die Kieh un die Pherd, die Schwein un sogar die Hinkle genau so oft krank gin, wie in de Nochberschderfer. Awr e Tierarzt hat’s im Dorf net gin; dej hat mr vun wuanerscht bringe misse. In Bugarisch, des war jo nor sechs Kilometer weg, war a Tierarzt, wu Dokter Hinkel gheescht hat, un des is ke Witz.

Wann irgend a Stick Viech, oder die Hinkle, Gäns, oder Ente Schwierichkeite ghat han un die Hausmittel, wu mr so gekennt hat, nix mehr gholf han, dann hat mr oft de Dokter Hinkel geruf. Des war jo net so enfach, weil’s im ganze Dorf nor zwaa odr drei Telefone gin hat. Oft is mer eenfach hingfahr un hat de Dokter gleich mitgebrung, awr dann hat mer ne aach hemfihre misse. Es war also eenfacher, ne zu verständiche, un dann is er mit’m Motorrad odr mit der Kuless kumm.

          An me scheene Suntach hat mol wider jemand de Tierarzt gebraucht. Sie han ne aach verständicht un er is kumm un hat sei Medizin verschrieb. Ob er jetz mitm Motorrad kumm is, odr mit der Kuless, losst sich net mehr feschtstelle, is jo aach net wichtich.

          Uff em Hemwech is de Dokter am Wertshaus vorbeikumm, des was mer domols Restaurant genennt hat. Er hat pletzlich Durscht ghat un hat sich uf der Stell entschloss, mol nin zu gehn. An em Tisch han mehreri Männer un große Buwe gsitzt un han sich scheinbar gut unnerhal. De Herr Hinkel is hin gang un hat gsaat: „Buwe, kann ich mich mol zu eich sitze?“ Eener vun de Buwe hat gleich Platz gmacht un hat gsaat: „Awr sicher, Herr Dokter, do seid dr doch in der Familje.“ Er hat ihm sei Hand hingstreckt un hat gsaat: „Mei Name is Hahn.“ Un weil des aach wirklich wohr war, han Alli mol gut gelacht un die Gschicht is noch oft verzählt gin.

In the family
Translated by Nick Tullius 

The cows and the horses, the pigs, and even the chickens in our village got sick just as often as those in the neighbouring villages. But at the time there was no veterinarian in the village; you had to bring him from elsewhere. In Bogarosch, which was only six kilometres away, there was a veterinary doctor called Hinkel*, and that's no joke.

If cattle or chickens, geese or ducks experienced serious difficulties and the known home remedies did not help, it often became necessary to call Doctor Hinkel. This was not so easy, because there were only two or three telephones in the whole village. Often it was easier to simply drive over and just bring the doctor along, but then you had to drive him back home. It was even easier to just call him, and then he came over by motorcycle or coach.

On a beautiful Sunday, once again someone needed the veterinarian. They were able to contact him and he was able to come and prescribe his medicine. Whether he came by motorcycle or by carriage can no longer be determined and is also not important.

On his way home the doctor passed the tavern or pub, which at that time officially carried the title restaurant. He felt a sudden thirst and decided on the spot to step into the restaurant. At a table sat several men and big boys and apparently had a lot of fun. Mr Hinkel approached them and said: "Boys, may I join you?" One of the boys moved a few chairs to make room and said: "Sure, doctor, move right in here. After all, you are in the family." He stretched out his hand and added: "My name is Hahn**." And because that was actually true, they all had a good laugh and the story was told and retold many times over.

 * Hinkel means hen.

** Hahn means rooster.