Ten years have passed but nothing has changed on the ranch. The scenario is different; the grass is dull and dead, starting to turn brown and shrivel, starved for water. The weather is just as miserable as my mood, I suppose; the clouds are black and full of rain, ready to burst just like a car tire. I feel the rumbling in the atmosphere like a lion roaring, the wind howling, it's as if a zoo had been created by the terrible weather, with howling and roaring. The wind howls so much that it manipulates the leaves of the bush to make silent movements. The people may be different here at the ranch, but the way they treat each other is pretty much the same. As I enter the ranch premises I smell burnt wood. I notice that migrant workers continue to do the worst jobs, such as being stable workers. The only consolation, I suppose, is that the pay is the same no matter what job you do. Just standing here looking at the ranch brings back so many memories, both good and bad. The barn where the terrible accident occurred no longer exists. It appears a fire was started at the site and all that remains now are the burnt ashes. The grass has disintegrated and all that remains is dry, you could almost describe it as undernourished soil, with no water to quench your thirst. I was told that burning the barn was the first thing Curley did after taking over the ranch from his father. All the other buildings remain intact as when I was here. If I look hard enough I can still see Lennie working like it was only yesterday. I remember talking to Slim about what a good worker Lennie was, when suddenly he picked up a bale of hay by himself. Oh, how we laughed, it took two men to s...... middle of paper I realize this is where I belong. Working on a ranch may not be the best job, but having traveled and worked on a few, I realize this is where my heart belongs. So here I am, about to start working for Curley again. I won't become an old worker like I once was. Curley specifically asked me to be his deputy. I took this opportunity because I will make this a better place for everyone. I will make sure all the kids have an equal and fair chance to do all the jobs here on the ranch. I will not allow the less intelligent to be abused or ridiculed by others. Perhaps by bearing some of the pressure of running a ranch, Curley will be less stressed and have more time for his family. I hope he realizes how lucky I am to be living the dream I've always had.