Electric Co-Ops Go Beyond The Wire Short Story

Electric Co-ops Go Beyond The Wire

It was October 21st, a Saturday. The night where everyone in the McGregor family was, uncharacteristically, busy. They were to be occupied all evening. Consequently, I, Max, was inevitably left home alone to fend for myself. I would hopefully make the best of this alone time. I always do.
Now, wait a minute, did I not just say the whole family has prior engagements to attend to? Well then, why do I not you may ask? Well that is because I’m Max! Max the Labrador Retriever to be exact. I was to sit there all day, and wait for all my people to finally come home.
I started out the night by sleeping. The couch makes a very comfy nap spot, when I’m allowed on it. Following that, I began to make my way

to the kitchen.
“Bone!”, I barked.

Aylee, the youngest McGregor child, must have left it out for me to find! Those things are delicious, but I’m only allowed so many. Next, I spotted my favorite toy that led to my favorite game of all time. Catch! I absolutely loved it when Tanner, the oldest McGregor child, would throw this yellow tennis ball into the air. I would show off my skills by trying to catch it in my mouth, mid-air! As I made my way to the tennis ball, everything went pitch, black dark.
“Did I pass out?” , I questioned aloud.
For a moment my canine ears hear a sound. Almost like a sizzle, but less of a sizzle from a fire or cooking. It sounded stronger than that. More like power.
“Hello, is anyone else here? Come out if you are!” , I barked throughout the house.
“Hello, Max.” , said an unknown

voice.
This began to get creepy really fast. It was so dark in here, and I could not see a thing. And now someone was here, and speaking to me! No one else lives here!
“Do not be alarmed. I have come to help. Look down towards the floor Max.” , spoke this new voice.
I gazed towards the floor, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw light.
“Max! So nice to meet you! I’m Ellie. Ellie the electric wire.” , said Ellie.
Come to find out, Ellie was producing an electric current to produce light and the sizzling sound I had heard before.
“Ellie, do you know why the power is out?

I am not able to see at all.” , I asked.
Ellie replied, “There seems to have been a breaker that malfunctioned because everything inside the house seems to be okay. Southwest Electric Cooperative should be here soon to fix the issue.”
“Who is Southwest Electric Cooperative and why are they coming here? Can’t you just fix it?” , I questioned of her.
“No, silly! This is a job for the electric company!”, she enthused.
I wondered what all these words meant and what Ellie was really talking about. So, I asked.
“What does our electric company for and what do they do?”
“Well, some basic facts are that our electric company serves 2.5 million people in our state. That’s 1 in every 3 homes. They also bring in a revenue of almost $2.8 billion in poles, wires, substations, and equipment. They also have a 99.96% reliability and maintain 86,000 miles of line!” , Ellie replied.
“Wow! They sound very experienced and a great group of people to rely on.” , I stated.
“They are. Let me also tell you that Tennessee’s Electric cooperatives provide power to 1.1 million homes, farms and businesses. Also the companies rates are kept low because there are no stockholders to pay and the co-op is responsive to members because they vote on co-op leadership.” , Ellie

explained.
I never believed I would know so much about our electric company! Wow! Now I’ll be able to tell Aylee when she gets home!