The Prodigal Hen

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We thought on Saturday that the fox had finally succeeded in getting one of the hens. Only three were there at putting in time, and a search only turned up ginger feathers in the graveyard (appropriately). We searched; the dog searched - no hen. So, two nights went past, and we assumed Matilda was now fox food. Yesterday I went up at lunchtime to give them a handful of corn, and all four waddled towards me across the wreck that was once our sand school. Poor Matilda now has only one tail feather left and therefore a sadly naked bottom, but she seems fine otherwise.

We're really puzzled about where she has been. There is a very large bramble patch in the school, so we think she must have holed up under there until she felt better, at which point she emerged.

Comments

Mutterings and Meanderings said…
In the words of Jame Heriot, if only they could talk ..
7 August 2007 at 22:26
Unknown said…
"Please don't throw me in the briar patch, Brer Fox !"
8 August 2007 at 17:46
Jane Badger said…
m&m - I'm not sure I'd enjoy what she had to say if she could...

Gillian - maybe she said do please throw me in the briar patch, cos hopefully you won't come in after me...
9 August 2007 at 10:41
Unknown said…
Jane - aren't you familiar with that story ? I had Enid Blyton's Brer Rabbit stories as a child.

Brer Rabbit is caught by Brer Fox and begs not to be thrown into the briar patch. Fox thinks Rabbit hates the briar patch, and as he wants to hurt Rabbit, he throws him into the briars.
Of course the cunning rabbit knows how to slip through the briars and can escape from the fox, who can't follow him. Rabbit knew Fox would do whatever he asked him not to, and used that against Fox.
9 August 2007 at 15:51
Jane Badger said…
Gillian - ah, I see now....
13 August 2007 at 11:43
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