LAY OF THE HEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8351, 24 June 1905, Page 7

LAY OF THE HEN.

Of robin, and blackbird, and linnet, spring poets write page after page; their pr&isss are sounded each minute by prophet, soothsayer and saga; bub not since the stars sang together, noo since the creation of men, has anyone drawn a goose feather in praise or tne patient old hen. . . All honour and praise to the singing that cheers up the wild wood # in sprina; the old recollections oft bring-' in<* joy, childhood, and all that sort of thtng; but dearer to me than the twitter of robin, or martin, or wren is that motherly cluck when a litter ol chickens surround the old hen.. And her- mid-winter cackle^ how cheery above the new liest sne has made: it notifies hearts all .*™a-y, another fresh egg has been laid. And when the old bird waxes heavy, and aeed, and lazy, and fat, well cooked with light dumplings and gravy, there s great consolation in that.