TheBanyanTree: In Saying goodbye to a chicken

[NancyIee at aol.com]

Friends and neighbors of ours are selling their farm and moving to Tennessee. 
They're true country folk, and have a flock of ducks and chickens in addition 
to their horses. They sold their home, and because of some sort of 
regulation, they cannot transport their poultry over state lines to the new place. This 
necessitates leaving chickens and ducks behind, a sad situation to a family 
who raised their birds from the eggs.

The rooster, for instance, was a school project for their young daughter, 
hatched in the classroom incubator. The chicks, so hatched, were then given to 
the students by lottery ( to children of willing parents).  The daughter "won" 
the privilege of taking home one little chick, who later became  "Roosty".

Now, Roosty must be left behind.

We said we'd take the ducks and Roosty (the other chickens having already 
found homes). So, the family brought them over and helped get them settled in our 
chicken pen. They petted each duck and held Roosty, and the little girl 
retreated to the truck to mourn the goodbye. Dad was silent, Mom wiped away a tear 
and said she was go glad her little flock and Roosty would have a good home. 
We promised  not to eat any of them,

We all feel bad in the loss of a pet. I can understand the same feeling at 
the saying goodbye to chickens and ducks one has raised, watched and enjoyed. 
Even a silly chicken has a unique personality.

So, they bid a last farewell to Roosty, who was crowing gustily as they left.

I wonder what or if he felt a sense of loss or confusion at that moment.

NancyLee