May 7, 2010

• Chickenhouse Chronicles, Part 3…

  …Delbert’s Important Announcement

  [Preface by Americanjanet: Although I had no intention of giving Delbert another chance at my laptop so soon, he has convinced me that he has news of earth-shattering importance to share with "his" fans. I tell you, giving this rooster computer access gives new meaning to that old phrase, "hunt and peck." My laptop will never be the same!]

  Are ya listenin’ up? I’m here to tell ya that Minnie and me has had us TRIPLETS!

              

  That’s right, three of the finest little balls of fluff that ever did hatch… And boy, let me tell ya, they are FINE!

  I knowed somethin’ was up, the way Minnie kept settin’ on that ole nest, day in and day out, hardly never gettin’ no food nor water, settin’ and settin’.  But she never tole me nuthin’ about no babies! It come as somewhat of a shock to me, just so ya know…

  Long about Wensdy, there was a bit of a commotion comin’ from that nest. She begun to squirm and twist a little, but if I come near, she gave me that ole evil eye that said, loud and clear, BACK OFF. So I backed. Minded my own. Nobody messes with Minnie when she’s like that.

  That evenin’, it was close to dark when me and Clara come in and clumb up to roost. We heard us some strange little noises, soundin’ sorta like cheep…cheep. I told Clara not to bother, it was just Minnie bein’ her fidgety self.

  But then the Lady come in like she does ever night, to see we’re tucked in good, and soon as she hears those cheeps, she dashes back out like a house a-fire, and then comes runnin’ back with that black box she likes a lot and goes to flashin’ lights at Minnie, and cooin’ and oohin’ and ahhin’ and then she runs out again and comes back with the Man.

             

  Well, I’m beginnin’ to think somethin’ bad has happened to Minnie, when the Man says somethin’ about how sweet it is. The MAN done said that! And then he said, “How many are there?” 

  They slipped out quiet-like, and I stewed about it. No sleep for Delbert that night, wonderin’ what was goin’ to happen next.

  Long about first light the next mornin’, the cheepin’ and carryin’ on really picked up. And I could see those little yellow specks wigglin’ around and in and out from under Minnie and it was then I KNEW. We’d done got us some babies!

  Three little ‘uns, is what. Minnie and me has decided we won’t name ‘em yet, and we’re hopin’ the Lady won’t neither. It just don’t do to give a chick a name like Della and then have to change it onct he starts to crow and such. I’m speakin’ from the mouth of experience, here…

               

  Things is surely lookin’ up around this old chickenhouse, a sight better’n it was just a while ago. It does a feller good to see his offspring springin’ around, learnin’ to grab onto a worm with his little beak, chasin’ after Mama across the yard, and peckin’ at ever little thing that moves. Course, Minnie won’t let me get close to ‘em…but that just means she’s bein’ a good mama. ‘Bout all I see of her these days is this side!

              

  I’m thinkin’ it’s time Clara and me thought about havin’ us a family. This daddy bizness gives a feller somethin’ to crow about! 

   

  • 6:20 pm
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