I was walking past the coop a few mornings after the incident of the new hens when I saw Bruce Lee sitting in a corner of the compound. He looked rather dejected and his usually bright red comb seemed less shiny. When he saw me, he jumped up and called me to stop.
"Hey, Vege Cat, I want talk to you," he said. He ran up to the fence and looked furtively around before speaking. I wondered why he was behaving so mysteriously and asked, "What's up, Bruce Lee?"
"Ssshhh, they'll hear you," he whispered. "I just want to talk to you privately."
"Is it about the incident the other day?" I asked.
He nodded and said. "Vege Cat, I want to become a monk."
"What?" I tried to stifle my laughter but couldn't .
"Alright, alright, I know you don't believe me but after all that has happened, I think it's better I start a new life. Look at you, you're always so cheerful and happy, I want to be like that. I've had enough of all those bloody hens inside, they can all go to hell for all I care!" He snorted and stamped his feet angrily.
"Look, it's all over," I said. "Head Nun has given away the new hens, so what's the problem?"
"Huh! Do you know some of the oldies still refuse to speak to me, others have the audacity to call me names and peck me when I'm asleep!"
He snorted again. "I was just having some fun. What's wrong with that? Those two new chicks were really cute."
"Yes, but you forgot the feelings of your old faithful hens who have been with you for so many years." I said. "Having loved and cared for you all this time, I don't blame them for being jealous. You could have been more discreet."
Just then, a few hens emerged from the coop and saw us talking. One of them immediately screamed, "Vege Cat, don't talk to him, he's not only a traitor but an ungrateful wretch!"
Now I was really in trouble. Being involved in the love affair of Bruce Lee and his hens was the last thing I wanted but it was clear that I had to do something to restore peace in the coop.
"I was just passing through," I said. "Why are you all so angry?"
"He's nothing but a sex maniac! After all we have done for him, he cast us aside like we're rubbish!" said one of the hens angrily.
"Alright, calm down," I said. "Roosters, like the humans, have their weaknesses, they have one or two flings but in the end they go home to their wives. (I didn't know how true that was but I had to say something). As far as I know, your boss here does love and care for you all and has done everything in his power to protect you all these years. Do you remember the time when the mad man from the mental home escaped and hid in the coop? Wasn't Bruce Lee tied up and hung from the ceiling for hours? He could have dashed out and left you all to die but he didn't. What about the time when some robber tried to break into the coop and he kept a nightly vigil for your safety?"
"Another thing," I continued, my mind racing for words. "Don't forget you are all living in Lord Buddha's temple. The grounds are sacred and there is no room for anger, hatred, jealousy and so on. As it is, He is probably very sad to see all of you quarrelling and fighting. Everyone makes mistakes. I urge you all to forgive him, forget the past and move on."
The hens became silent, looked at each other, then went back into the coop.
Bruce Lee looked at me admiringly and said, "Hey, you're better than I thought! Never knew you could speak like that. So what now?"
"Well, you've got to do your part too. Just ask them to forgive you and all will be well."
"Me ask for forgiveness?" he shrieked, his bright red comb nearly popping off his head.
"Either that or you'll be a lonely old bird for the rest of your life," I said. "Go on, I want to hear you say the words!"
He grumbled and swore under his breath, kicked the fence several times, then reluctantly turned to go inside the coop. I waited at the door, then I heard him mumble something about being sorry, then suddenly the hens were all singing "For He's a Jolly Good Rooster"!
I sighed with relief. I guess Bruce Lee will be having a cuddly tete-a-tete with his hens later that evening.
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| "For he's a jolly good rooster" |
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