The Chicken That Played Dead

A True Story of My Childhood:

Growing up, we had chickens. My oldest brother also owned a dog named Rex. Rex was a pretty nice dog generally, but sadly, he was a incurable chicken killer. If he got free and into the chicken run, it was bye-bye chickens! It was one summer afternoon that Rex got out and into the chicken run, leaving havoc and death in his wake. My brothers, after catching Rex, went out to count dead chickens. My brother J. was sad to note that our favorite Rhode Island Red chicken was laying dead outside the chicken coop. Going inside he counted the dead ones inside, and then headed back out. As J. came out he watched the Rhode Island Red raise her head, look around and then get up. She walked away uninjured and untouched. Somehow that chicken was smart enough to play dead when there was danger! She played dead for years before she died. But, she will always hold a place in my memory as The Chicken That Played Dead.