Our neighbors have some chickens. Urban chickens just so we are clear here. I kinda laughed when they got baby chicks last spring and didn’t really think too much about it.
Well, as life would have it those chicks have grown up in to full fledged adult chickens. They like to explore and since our yard is the only neighboring yard without predators (read that as we have no dogs or outdoor cats – there may be some owls but whoooo knows?), they hop the fence and visit occasionally.
If you had told me that I would get a kick out of watching these chickens I would have laughed at you. But I have to admit I find them amusing. Especially the one I think of as “Third Chicken”.
There are only three chickens total and two of them pretty much roam around here and there together. They seem to have a relatively sane companionship in the ongoing hunt for bugs and worms and such. But Third Chicken is often oblivious and doesn’t realize it has been left behind. When such realization suddenly dawns on Third Chicken, it races as fast as it can with wings flapping (but not actually taking flight) to catch up with the other two. I know it doesn’t sound particularly hilarious but remember I’m easily amused.
I’m not sure if it is safety in numbers or concern on missing out on the tastiest bugs or fear the other two are gossiping about it. Clearly, Third Chicken desires community but has to actively remember to stay engaged.
Sounds familiar. I desire and need community but as an introvert I struggle to engage. There are always good reasons not to attend events or call friends to get together or whatever. Once I actually get someplace, I almost always enjoy the companionship and community. Like Third Chicken, however, I wander into solitude and need to deliberately choose to re-engage.
I just hope I don’t look quite as funny.
Just Sayin' 