photograph by Audrey Pavia
My Quaker , Stephanie , and my rooster , Mr. Mabel , have a tempestuous human relationship .
betimes last hebdomad , I got an electronic mail from my honest-to-goodness supporter , Stephanie , who lives in Pittsburgh . Her planned trip to Russia drop through , and she asked if she could come stay with me this week . I was thrilled — I had n’t seen my pal for a few years .
Stephanie loves animate being , but endure in an apartment in Pittsburgh , she only has one Caterpillar . Part of what she enjoys about coming to see me is hanging out with all the animals on our urban farm . Thing is , last time she came out , we did n’t havethe wimp .
worked up about meeting the chickens and eatingfarm - invigorated eggs , Stephanie could n’t await to see them . I pick her up at the airdrome belated Monday night and left ahead of time the next morning for work . When I came home Tuesday eventide , I get word about what would be the first of many encounters between Stephanie and my dominant cock , Mr. Mabel .
I ’d hear stories about Mr. Mabel from pet sitters who had come onto the belongings when no one was dwelling . Seems my red , bantam roo think he is in guardianship of keeping stranger out of the backyard when I ’m not around . I ’ve heard about him attacking people who dared to essay to bung the horses or cleanse the stalls . Just about everyone who has come into my backyard alone is afraid of him .
I forgot to warn Stephanie about Mr. Mabel ’s attitude before I leave behind for work that break of the day , but it was n’t long before she found out for herself . When she walked outdoors to chatter the sawhorse , she was mauled by my rooster .
Stephanie is no slouch . Unlike most other visitant who are menace by this too - big - for - his britches bantam , Stephanie did not think she needed to take his buncombe , and call on the carpet him loudly for his behavior . Her defiant mental attitude mix with her unadulterated rawness with poulet made for a hilarious workweek of interactions between her and Mr. Mabel .
Every evening when I ’d come home from work , Stephanie would have a Modern storey for me about her day with Mr. Mabel . One daybreak , she was sitting on a chair under the terrace when Mr. Mabel come up to her , with his hens in tow . He stop , stand in front of her , pooped and then crowed loud , all the while looking in good order at her . Another time , he waited ’ til her back was turned , run for up to her simple legs and rake her with his spurs . Stephanie fought back with a stark tongue lashing , which only seemed to further Mr. Mabel ’s bad mental attitude .
By the end of the workweek , it was light Mr. Mabel had a real thing for Stephanie . I conceive it was pure malice , but Stephanie conceive it was a crush . She was sure Mr. Mabel wanted to bring her to his harem of hens , but like the bratty schoolboy who take out the little girl ’ pigtail , he did n’t know how to countenance her know that he liked her .
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