CLUCK!

The Sides

On the morrow I was roused from a sleep I remember not falling into by the sound of our brother, the cock; he whose voice never faltered in rising majestically above all else – even the clutter of thoughts within my own mind – as he announced that the fiery eye of heaven was peaking out over the treetops, ordaining the arrival of a new day.

     The wardens, as with every morning, were also alerted to this by his mighty calls, and staggered into the coup, reeking of those toxic waters they revelled in consuming. Flicking a switch they unlocked our cages, and began herding us to the outer sectors whereat we were welcome to walk within the confines they had constructed long ago – certainly they believed we should feel some kind of gratitude for such a privilege. 

     However, where I once embraced the wind through my feathers, and the warm sun upon my beak, as I dined on the grains they chucked heedlessly in our faces, I now could only see the falsehood of this so-called freedom; it was contrived to deceive our once feeble minds into the illusion of being free. In truth we were merely moved from one cage and into a second for a few hours a day, so that they could avoid the outrage of the others; those who congratulated themselves for accomplishing this trickery of a better life. 

     "Brothers, sisters, please, lend me your ears," a chicken declared loudly, standing atop a rock. Pushing through the gathering throng, Uriah, Mordecai, and I, made our way to the front of the crowd. "My name is Hiram, though many of you know of me as the old, weathered chicken."

     Brother Hiram was not mistaken in this, being that he had resided here long before most of us were conceived, passed over time-and-again due to his sickly state and lack of meat upon his slim frame. It was nothing short of miraculous that the wardens had not put him beneath the blade years prior, just to free up space within the coups and save themselves some grain.

     "But I am born anew," he continued, his voice powerful with conviction, "as I am certain are many of you."

     "What of it?" Questioned one of the healthier chickens, a small flock of birds surrounding him.     "What have you to say that we have not already asked amongst ourselves."

     "What is your name brother?" Hiram spoke, his tone warm and welcoming.

     "You may address me as Jethro," he replied, climbing onto the rock next to Hiram and staring down at the gathered chickens "and I can not withhold the truth with which the gods bestowed upon me last night."

     "Speak brother," Hiram said, "for I am certain you have come to the conclusion that can not be denied by any here present, and it would so comfort my rattled heart to hear another talk of that which kept my slumber at bay all last night."

     "Oh, and what would that be?" Jethro asked, his tone and features critical as he turned to face Hiram.

     "That ours has ever been a hard life, fraught with death, uncertainty, and imprisonment." Hiram declared, refusing to square up against the younger bird, and instead speaking to the crowd. "Much of which has been perpetrated by these vile creatures that call themselves 'humans'. They who know better, yet choose to remain ignorant of the truth."

     "And what truth is that?" Said Jethro, his chest puffing up, "Huh?"

     "That we are not property to be owned. But living creatures. Beings who should be free to decide their own fate without the fear of aggravating the humans' endless hungers." Hiram said, raising his wings and standing proudly.

     "Ha!" Jethro laughed, facing away from Hiram. "Clearly the ignorance lies within your mind, and not theirs."

     "Why do speak like this brother?" Hiram asked, lowering his feathers and facing Jethro.