Lessons from an Old Man
Wisdom from Appalachia
There’s something special about the way stories get passed down in the Appalachian Mountains. The wisdom of old-timers, the rhythm of life in the hills, and the connection between generations all weave together like threads in a well-worn quilt. Growing up in a small town called Emory Gap, Tennessee, I had the privilege of learning from one such storyteller — Mr. Max, an old mountain man whose lessons have stayed with me for over 50 years.
Mr. Max was the kind of man who belonged to the land. He never owned a car, never strayed far from home, and spent his days tending to his livestock and garden. Many folks left him alone, but I, even as a young boy, was drawn to his stories. Something about his rugged independence fascinated me, and he seemed to tolerate — maybe even enjoy — my visits.
He always called me “Jack,” even though that wasn’t my name. Each time I’d show up, he’d greet me the same way.
“Well, there’s Jack, the smartest young’un to ever live on every branch!”
One cold, cloudy day, I made my way to his small log cabin, the smoke from his chimney hanging low in the air — an old sign of bad weather coming. Sure enough, when I reached his place, I found him in the barn, leading his big brindle ox, Old Buck, in slow circles.
Mr. Max was a man of tradition. He knew things that no school could teach — how to cure sick cattle, how to read the land, and how to survive in a world that was quickly moving past his way of life. When I asked about Old Buck’s health, he explained a condition called “hollow tail” and told me how to cure it.
“All you gotta do, Jack, is take a knife, cut open the end of the tail, and pack it with salt and red pepper. Wrap it up with a rag, sew it tight, and that steer’ll perk up right quick!”
To my young ears, it sounded painful, but Mr. Max had been doctoring cattle for decades. He swore by his remedies — whether it was drilling holes in cow horns to cure “hollow horn,” running tobacco twists through a steer’s neck to treat “merin,” or pouring turpentine into a cow’s navel to fix “hidebound” sickness.
I wasn’t sure if all of his methods would hold up against modern veterinary science, but what stuck with me was his deep connection to the land and his animals. His knowledge wasn’t something learned from books — it was passed down through generations, built on experience, and tested by time.
As the fire crackled in his cabin, I asked him about an old Appalachian saying: No matter how cold the winter, there will always be two weeks of plowing weather in February. He chuckled and shook his head.
“Some folks swear by that, Jack, but not me. That’s just a lazy man’s excuse to go hunting and fishing in the fall. My Pa and Grandpa always plowed early — let the winter break up the soil, soak in the moisture, and make it ready for spring planting.”
Mr. Max believed in hard work, in preparing ahead, in trusting the land to do what it was meant to do. His words carried a wisdom that reached far beyond farming — they were about life itself.
That day, as I left Mr. Max’s cabin, the wind had picked up, and sleet was beginning to tap against the tin roof. I pulled my coat tight, knowing I needed to get home before the storm set in. Mr. Max dozed off by the fire, his stories settling into my memory like seeds in freshly turned soil.
Now, 50 years later, I find myself sharing his stories, hoping they’ll take root in someone else’s heart the way they did in mine. The old ways may fade, but the lessons remain.
Jerry Nelson Appalachian Storyteller & Freelance Writer
Nestled in the rugged heartlands of Appalachia, Jerry Nelson brings to life the rich tapestry of mountain lore through his evocative writing. With roots deep in the hills of Tennessee, Jerry’s storytelling echoes the wisdom of generations passed down around flickering firelight and under star-studded skies. As a freelance writer, he specializes in capturing the essence of Appalachian culture, offering readers a glimpse into a world where tradition and modernity converge. His narratives weave together the lessons learned from old-timers like Mr. Max, whose intimate knowledge of the land and its tales inspire Jerry’s work.
Currently based in Buenos Aires with his wife, Alejandra, Jerry continues to share his Appalachian heritage with a global audience, blending his love for history with his deep connection to human experiences. Through his writing, Jerry invites you to wander the mountain paths and learn from the wisdom of those who tread them long before us.
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