With all that has been going on with current events this week, it was difficult to look at the news this morning, and so I turned it off. It was not that I didn’t care. It’s more a feeling that it has all become too much. Perhaps there is such a thing as “compassion fatigue”? When I went out to feed my chickens this morning, I was reminded of a passage I had written for “How To Explain Christmas To Chickens.”
Gracie looked up at me and asked, “Why do you look sad?”
“Because the world needs more goodness in it than I think we will ever be able to give it,” I said. “Now without Blanche, we are just five chickens and one old man.”
“Maybe you should write a story or draw a picture so people will know it’s not good to hurt chickens or steal eggs.”
“Gracie, most people already know those things. We can’t lay enough eggs and write enough books for the amount of goodness the world needs.”
As I sat watching everyone enjoying their breakfast salad, I also remembered what Bessie had told me.
Bessie had been listening in and had gotten that serious look of hers. It’s the look she always gets when she has something very important to say. She hopped up onto my shoes. This is also what she does when she has something very important to say…
“If you are a writer, you make your best writings. If you are a drawer, you make your best drawings. Then you hope what you do will go to someone who will do the most good with it.
“Chickens lay eggs. Some get used for omelettes. Some get used for cupcakes. You can only do what you can do. The rest will be up to whoever receives your gifts. But you can’t stop giving what you are meant to give.”
I tilted my head and looked at them while I thought this over.
“He looks just like a chicken!” Bessie whispered to Gracie.
Then I realized I was doing exactly what they do when they are thinking over things I’ve explained to them. How amusing!
They stood looking up at me with all of the innocence of two just-hatched chicks and all of the wisdom of two well-aged hens.
At times, events can seem overwhelming, but just as Bessie has said, that shouldn’t stop us from giving gifts of kindness, no matter how small.
The world of chickens, the world of people, and perhaps even the entire universe are all built on the goodness of giving. Let’s all keep giving the gifts we are meant to give, the gifts of kindness.
Each post shares a glimpse into my journey as a writer and illustrator. Every “Like,” “Follow,” and “Comment” is truly appreciated!
