Evenings spent with my chickens are the best part of almost any day. We share a treat of some fresh fruit and recount the day’s events or simply discuss whatever is on our minds.
“So Gracie, what is the best thing about being a chicken?”
“Well, I guess the best thing about being a chicken is being a chicken.”
She clucked at her cleverness.
“Chickens get to hunt for worms. I love the joy and anticipation of running with a worm I’ve just found. What is the best thing about being a person?”
“That is a tough question.”
“And you can’t just say ‘the best thing about being a person is being a person.’ You would just be copying me!”
“The best thing about being a person is watching chickens running with a worm they just found. That’s not really copying you, is it? Gracie, you are certainly in a fun mood today.”
“I guess so. Maybe not. But don’t change the subject. I do think it’s a good question even though the answer can’t change anything.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, if it is the best, it is at the top. You can’t get any better. Ask about what is the worst. Then you have something to work on. You can get better then.”
“I see what you mean. So what is the worst thing about being a chicken?”
“Sometimes we care about people, but they don’t care about us,” she said without hesitating.
“I think that may be the worst thing about being a person too. When other people don’t care about you.”
We looked off together towards the part of the yard that had gotten overgrown over the years. It made a nice place for traveling birds like starlings and crows and thrushes to stop and rest as they came through our neighborhood, but we didn’t see any just then.
I enjoyed moments like this when Gracie and I shared things in common like how important is was to know we are cared for.
“After all, we are just farm animals,” she muttered. “Just farm animals.”
Our moment of connectedness was broken.
She looked down at the ground searching for nothing in particular, and then she moved as if to get up.
My Life With Gracie taught me words can make everything in our world change in an instant.
Each post shares a glimpse into my journey as a writer and illustrator. This post felt too long, and so it is divided into two parts. Every “Like,” “Follow,” and “Comment” is truly appreciated!
No “just farm animals” about it, Gracie. You are an inspiration to many, “just human beings” as well!
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Thank you, Judi! I’m hopeful that tomorrow’s post with Part 2 will have some useful chicken wisdom for anyone who has ever felt they were “just ______ [fill in the blank]”!
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“Just” a person… Oy
The worst thing about being a human is that humanoids kill each other.
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Sadly, I must agree. And not just physically killing…emotionally killing and psychologically killing too.
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Well, also persons can feel just like “farm animals”.
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Yes they can, and be treated as less than a person with needs and hopes and dreams. I am hoping that Part 2 will provide encouragement for those who have struggled with things like this.
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That`s kind of you…let the encouragement rain! 😉
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Speechless. I am wondering what she really thinks and why she said that. Waiting for part 2!
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Thank you, Kenisha. More will be revealed in Part 2 for sure. We cannot let Gracie feel such despair. She doesn’t not realize (or has forgotten) just how special she is! (As are you and all of our other readers!)
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Mercy4Animals. God said we were to be stewards. That meant care for. Why have we lost sight of what is most important?
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A very good question. It is sad. I am so thankful for the gift of my chickens. They give me so much more than eggs. They are wonderful companions and have such sweet and gentle personalities. Thank you for reading and commenting!
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John, thanks for sharing more wisdom from Gracie. She is becoming quite the philosopher.
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