we are people : James Duplacey : 2011-12-30

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December 30, 2011

Attila the Hen

Posted by James Duplacey

Not really a turkey tale, but during the Christmas season, I felt this had a certain fowl appeal. Another essay from the legendary pen of LJ Duplacey 1910-2003

The Legend of Attila the Hen

Attila the Hen was really a rooster. We raised chickens for several years and each brood produced at least one rooster that grew into a big, high-stepping, arrogant bird. We named them all Attila.
... ...
When one had fulfilled his duty and was due for the “Billot” there was always another one waiting in the “wings” ready to be crowned “cock-of-the-walk”.

We grew fond of some of them and hoped, when the time came for them to strut to be struck on the chopping block, that the blade would be dull or the axe handle would break to delay the fateful sacrifice.

We did not know it, but time was running out on all the whole Foghorn Leghorn fraternity. Our parents were considering buying their first car. But, we had a problem. Cars at that time had to be put up for the winter. The only shelter available was the hen house. It was up to the family to decide...car or chicks, chicks or cars. It was a tough decision. We knew we would miss our boiled, fried, shirred and/or scrambled eggs and a chicken in every pot, but we opted for the car.

So, out went the Attila’s and their progeny. The car moved in. Every Sunday we all piled into the REO and headed for the countryside to spend the day. We hardly had a second thought for Attila and his fine-feathered friends. We were lost in the joys of the open road.

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