FFF

I received a message one morning that TL wanted to speak to me.  When I arrived at the coop, I found him in his usual corner, a peculiar look on his face.  

"Is everything alright, TL?" I asked.

He beckoned me to come closer, then said in a low voice, "Don't tell anyone.  I can't open my fan (tail). It's jammed."

"Huh?"

"You heard me, my fan is jammed.  I've tried several times to open it but it refused to budge.  Look, is there a vet here that can fix it?"

I must say I was rather taken aback by what he said.  I had never come across such a situation before!

"Well, we have a vet here but as far as I know, they only treat cats and dogs, not turkeys."  I told him.

"Oh no, how am I going to live without my beautiful fan?" moaned TL.

I thought for a while, then suddenly I remembered Farmer Chen.  

"TL, I think Farmer Chen can help you.  He's very experienced with hens and ducks and turkeys too.  I'll ask Head Nun to call him to come over."

"Thanks, Vege Cat and please tell Head Nun to keep it all private and confidential, ya?" he said, his face red with embarrassment.   (Fortunately TL's corner is isolated from the hens and roosters, so he's free from prying eyes.)

Head Nun was rather concerned when I told her and she immediately called Farmer Chen who came over within the hour.  He checked TL over, then said, "Well, you're a very healthy bird, I can't find anything wrong with you.  As for your fan, I will try to fix it as best as I can."

For the next few minutes, he tugged and pulled this way and that but still it wouldn't open when TL tried.

"I tell you what, TL, let's try some exercise.  We will do some pushups - I will count to 20 and on every count, you try to push your butt out as hard as possible.  OK?"

Poor TL.  After 20 counts, he almost collapsed, beads of perspiration rolling down his face and wetting his plumage.  Still, the stubborn fan refused to open.

Farmer Chen scratched his head, then said, "I think it's a case of FFF."

"What the hell is that?" asked Bruce Lee who had been watching the whole thing.

"FAN FUNCTION FAILURE".

At this point, even though we tried to restrain ourselves, we (except Farmer Chen) burst out laughing, much to TL's chagrin.  Even Head Nun who had been trying to keep a straight face all along, couldn't control herself.

"It's ok for you all to laugh but I'll be the laughing stock of the town soon," said TL miserably.

After thinking for a while, Farmer Chen then said, "I think you need some lubrication.  I've got some hand cream in my truck, I'll go get it."

He returned almost immediately and started applying the cream to TL's dorsal.  

"Ok, TL, now you try to open your fan," he said.

The first three attempts failed, then on the fourth attempt, the fan burst open with a loud squeak!  We all cheered as TL opened and shut it several times until he was satisfied that it was working normally.  Yay! Mission accomplished thanks to Farmer Chen!

Later, TL  said to me, "I've never been more embarrassed in my life. I'm very thankful that you and Head Nun are so understanding and came to my rescue."

"You're always welcome, TL.  By the way," I asked curiously.  "How come a handsome bird like you never married?  I'm sure you had many admirers when you were younger."

He winked at me, then whispered, "I'll let you in a secret.  My one and only love is ...my fan!"  

He then gave me a playful knock on the head and went back to his corner to sleep.

 

"It's ok to be different ..."🎵🎵

The Buddha Said ...

"Better is it truly to conquer yourself than to conquer others."

(From the book "The Golden Words of the Buddha")

Cat Wisdom

 

Homecoming

It was just another lazy morning.  TL had asked me to come to the coop to listen to a new song that he had learnt, Bruce Lee was dozing in one corner and all was quiet.

Suddenly we were startled by the screeching of brakes and the loud blaring of a truck's horn.  We went outside and saw that it was Farmer Chen.  We were even more surprised to see Ms. Penny accompanied by a rooster and six adorable little chicks!  Farmer Chen then said that Ms. Penny had requested him to take her back to Bruce Lee's coop as she wanted to see some of her old friends.  

It was indeed a delightful surprise and everyone was so happy to see her again with her family.  She introduced her husband, Mr. Goldie (so nicknamed because of his mane of gold coloured feathers around his neck) to Bruce Lee, who looked him up and down like he was his son-in-law before he uttered a curt "Hello".  Mr. Goldie is indeed a splendid looking rooster, very elegant and handsome despite his age, and Bruce Lee probably felt a little jealous of his good looks because he ignored him and talked to Ms. Penny only.

While Ms. Penny was busy catching up with her friends, Farmer Chen drew us aside and said he had something to tell us.  

"I was in town two days ago and passed by the market place.  I then heard someone screaming my name and I turned to see that it was ..... Cluck Cluck!"

"What?" gasped Bruce Lee.  "He's still around here?"

Farmer Chen nodded.  "I saw that he and some other roosters were locked up in a cage ready to be sold in the market and Cluck Cluck was begging me to rescue him. I felt sorry for the poor guy, so I bought him and took him home.  Obviously I could not let him stay at my farm because of Ms. Penny, so I left him at my brother's place not far from mine.  He has been there since.  I have not mentioned any of this to Ms. Penny but I thought you should know."

Bruce Lee snorted and said, "Serve him right!  I hope he has learnt his lesson now!"

"I asked him whether he wanted to return to your coop," continued Farmer Chen.  "But he said no, he did not dare face you again, Bruce Lee."

"Huh!  I'm not surprised," said Bruce Lee. 

"Well, if you decide to take him back, just let me know," said Farmer Chen.

So after the happy reunion, Ms. Penny and her family returned home with Farmer Chen.  I was glad to see that she is now very happy and seemed to have forgotten about  Cluck Cluck.

"Why not you forgive Cluck Cluck and take him back," TL asked Bruce Lee after they had gone.

"What if he causes trouble here again?" Bruce Lee said.  "I don't want him to worry any of the hens, besides I don't think they would want him back.  Let me think about it."

About a week later, we saw Farmer Chen again.  I wondered what news he had this time.

"Bruce Lee," he said.  "My brother woke up this morning and found Cluck Cluck gone.  Not only that, but one of his hens was also missing.  So it looks like they have both run away together!"

Bruce Lee almost choked when he heard this, then he apologised to Farmer Chen for the trouble Cluck Cluck had caused and for the loss of his brother's hen.

The old farmer laughed and said, "Not to worry, Cluck Cluck wasn't well liked at my brother's farm and they were all glad to be rid of him!  As for that hen, she was stupid to follow him.  Good luck to her!"

TL shook his head and said, "Something tells me we haven't seen the last of that young bird."

Bruce Led grunted but didn't make any comment.  I thought he looked rather tired, I think he probably had enough of recent happenings in the coop!

 

Here's TL's new song.  It's called "No Need to Race".   Sing along and have fun!

One good day is all we need

Plant a little love just like a seed

Take it slow, let the river flow

One good day is all we need

No need to win, no need to race

Count your blessings one by one

Easy living under the sun 

Daily Prayer

With Metta,

DA

The Buddha Said ....

"When a man speaks or acts with good intention, then happiness follows him like his shadow that never leaves him."

(From the book "The Golden Words of the Buddha") 

Cat Wisdom

 

Ning's Ghost Story

Story told by Ning

It's the "Hungry Ghost Month" again.  Da usually gets very nervous during this time and tells me to be careful and not stay out too late at night lest I bump into some spooks.  Well, I'm not too concerned about this, not all spooks are evil, some are lonely old souls who miss their family, some died tragically in an accident or mishap.  They just want some friendly companionship and someone to listen to their woes.  I also believe they're there all the time, not only during this "Hungry Ghost" month.

Last night after leaving the Club at midnight, I decided to take a short cut to my hideout.  I hadn't used it for some time and it meant going through a path with trees and bushes but it would take me home faster.

I was trudging along in the semi-darkness when suddenly I felt a cold wind blow towards me.  Then I saw them - a young couple both dressed in white.  I knew at once that they were ghosts.  I wasn't the least bit scared, so I casually asked. "Hi, what are you two ghosts doing here?"

The young man (whom I shall call Ghost 1) looked surprised and asked, "Aren't you afraid of us, little cat?"

I laughed.  "Why should I be?  If you're going to suck my blood, you would have done so without wasting time talking."

Ghost 2 smiled and said, "We're not vampires.  You need not worry."

"Okay then," I said.  "Tell me what happened to you two!"

Well, they both had sad tales to tell and when they finished, I gathered that they had  died very young, in the same hospital, on the same day, at the same time one month ago .  He had cancer and she had leukemia and neither of them knew of this strange coincidence until now. 

"We only bumped into each other just now," said Ghost 2.  Then to my dismay, she burst into a flood of tears, saying how she missed her mum and siblings.

I had often heard Da speak of loving kindness and compassion and this lady ghost's tears were enough to melt any heart of stone.  I decided I had to help her in some way.

Meantime Ghost 1 had put an arm around her to comfort her and as their eyes met, I could see sparks fly!

So I said to Ghost 1, "Look, your friend needs someone to look after her, she's lonely and miserable and you're the perfect man ... I mean ghost .... for the job.  Why don't you help her, you'll be blessed with a good rebirth for your good deed!" (That was something Da also talked about - a good rebirth and it came in handy!)

Ghost 1 looked at Ghost 2 and whispered, "I'd be honored to take care of you .... may I?" I was very relieved when she smiled and nodded her consent.  

With that settled, I went home feeling very pleased with myself.  Never at any point in my life had I imagined I would play "matchmaker" to two ghosts!  Before they left, I asked for their names  (they were Wan  Don Yu and Luo An Jie (or Don and Anjie for short).  I carefully noted them down on a piece of paper before I went to sleep.

A couple of days later, I went to see Da and told him of my encounter with the two young ghosts.  He was stunned and found my story quite unbelievable! I then told him that I had  gone to the hospital to check their records and every detail was correct, just as they had told me - date of death, time, etc. and their file photos of course matched the apparitions I saw.

To me, their meeting in the afterlife was like pre-destined because in their earthly sojourn, their illness prevented them from leading a normal life.

I didn't see Don and Anjie again after that first meeting even though I took the shortcut to my hideout several times hoping to meet them.  

As Da would say, I wish them peace, happiness and eternal rest.

"Aren't you afraid of us, little cat?"

Cat Wisdom

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SADHU!  SADHU!  SADHU!