More about “Rupert the Rooster”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 81, 5 April 1930, Page 20 (Supplement)

More about “Rupert the Rooster”

By “BUSH FAIRY

It was a nice, sunny day in the month of December. An old hen sat on her nest. The eggs were just beginning to crack. Soon the nest was full of little Huffy chicks. Their mother looked after them until they were big enough to look after themselves There was nine in all, four hens and five roosters. They were kept in a small hen pen. One by one the loosters were fattened and eaten tor Sunday dinner until there was only one left. A little girl called him “Rupert.” Rupert did not like being shut up in a small pen and every time he got a chance he ran out and did all the harm he could in the garden.

He had many fights with a big white drake and crowed for joy when he saw the drake put into a box to be fattened for Christmas dinner. One day the master put a dog on to him and he got such a fright he stayed in the pen for several days. One day, however, he saw a piece of paper lying under a tree, ami went to have a look at it. He saw that it was a Wendy Hut page and after reading it he made up his mind to .join it. He was sorry he had ever scratched in the garden, when “Old Maid” fed him and looked after him so well, and he has resolved never to do it again.

(By “SLOW COACH”).

Cock-o-doodle-doo! Would you like to hear the story of my life? The first thing 1 could remember that 1 was in a nice warm nest. My mother was a big black hen. I had twelve, brothers and sisters. The farmer’s wife took great interest in me One. day she said, “That is a fine young bird. I. will put him in the show.” I was then two years old. Next day the farmer took me to the Wanganui Show. When the judge came round he put a card on my cage with first prize on it. I won four firsts, two seconds and one third. One day I was put in a box with a card on it which read as follows: “Those birds to be sold after

the Show.” A nice man came along ana he stood looking at us for some time. He then asKed the man in charge of us to get me out. He writes to Wendy and at last 1 got permission to write to the Hut, too. Now’, 1 live with the “Six Ducks” at the Cottage it ar the Hut, I never crow in the afternoon because “Grandpa” usually hag hi.-, nap, and he would be angry if I woke him. 1 forgot to say that “Just Daddy” was the man that bought me. Every morning at five o clock 1 fly on “JArk the Dog’s” kennel and crow, so as to wake the Wendyit.es. “ Cock-o doodle-doo' Goodbye .’’’-“RUPERT THE ROOST ER.”

(By “RAMBLING ROSE’’)

One bright summer’s morn Betty and Bob visited their aunt who lived in the country on a farm. Arriving at their destination the children of the farm showed their cousins the animals in the farmyard. Both the children were delighted when they saw “O'd 1 eby ” with a brood of eignt Huffy little chickens, a’! of whom were vl' te. As Betty an i Bob had admired the round, fluffy li’.ti-* chicks so much their aunty gave them two which they took home in a basher lin'd .v ; th flannel and covered w ; *h an old shawl. Upon arriving home that -veiling the children put the tw > chickens to bed in a c-osy box. The next morning l oth B-.-try . i <1 Bob w re up very early to ->•* low their per? were. They w.-re \ ?ry happy - could be seen by their lively chirping. That evening the children’s father built a small coop similar in design to those which the chickens of the farm were reared in. This, the two birds were to make their temporary home. Every morning and evening the chickens were fed on oatmeal and breadcrumbs. One morning, to Betty’s and Bob’s great dismay only one chick was to be seen and, although they hunted everywhere they could not discover the slightest trace of its mate; thus they came to the sorrowful conclusion that the tiny bird must have escaped from its home and been killed by a roving cat. This incident made them doubly fond of their remaining pct, upon whom they lavished all their care. Day by day he slowlv grew whilst his creamy plumage changed to a snowy white. As the children observed how rapidly his

comb grew they decided that their bird was a rooster. At times he made strange gurgling sounds in his throat. After some time, however, these sounds could plainly be distinguished as efierts to crow, and after a great deal uf patient and persistent practice he gradually gained confidence; thus in a little while he could crow quite nicely. Every mon ?ng they were awakened by the rooster ’s “ cocr.-o doodle-doo! ” which heralds the dawn. Having been let loose among the other fowls he exulted in his regained liberty. When he was about eighteen mouths old Betty and Bob decided to enter him in the annual show. On the morning of this great event the children were up very early and the atmosphere was charged with intense excitement. After a great deal of delay, however, Betty and Bob set off for the town hall wherein their pct was to be exhibited. With them went “Rupert the Rooster,” who was enclosed in an airy box. The building was a scene of great activity, but the bird was given to a steward who quickly transferred him into a small wire cage. As soon as school was over the children rushed eagerly to the show and great was their joy when they discovered that their pet had been awarded first prize. After having been taken home once again. “Rupert the Rooster” strutted proudly round the yard and whenever anyone entered the yard he cocked his little eye knowingly as though to say “Am not I a fine bird??” Although many years have now passed and “Rupert the Rooster” has grown old he is sti!! their favourite pet.