Much as I appreciate the Little Red Hen's competence and independence, I can't say that I've ever met a chicken that even remotely resembles her.
Most chickens are a slightly appalling but ultimately appealing combination of the panic-stricken Henny Penny and the sweet Minerva Louise.
My hens aren't the sharpest crayons in the box (Hope can't figure out how to get out of the pen even after I've opened the gate wide and the other three have hopped gleefully out - she watches her friends through the chicken wire and moans mournfully until I usher her out), but this quality plus their dislike of my being in their close proximity (unless I'm feeding them) makes them very easy to herd.
Because I don't like to cause my hens any undo duress or stress, I've perfected an entirely silent method of getting them back in their pen. If they're silently thinking "Theskyisfalling, theskyisfalling, theskyisfalling," they're keeping it to themselves.
We have a stupid one like that too. And then she forgets how to find her way back home again...
ReplyDeleteThats funny, I guess the blonde is coming out.
ReplyDeleteI did know a very competent hen, name of Kate, the mean but entertaining queen of a little flock of eight I "chicken-sat" for a year--a Hen of Great Character. She bullied not only six hens, but the rooster (until the City made me exile him to the Pierce College flock). The others fell prey to fight, sickness and foxes, but not Kate. She lived on alone into old age under two subsequent owners in the neighborhood--and used to go on walks with the last, who adored her and grieved for weeks at her Going.
ReplyDeleteWow! I should try taking my gals for a walk... perhaps they'd enjoy it as much as Kate did.
ReplyDeleteThe sound track is just so wonderful. A lovely little film!
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