Uncle Johns' Big Red Rooster By G. Lee Hearl
It was during the great depression of the 1930s when uncle John brought one
of his prize game roosters and some hens to our place, hoping mama would
raise some chicks from them... All summer that Big Red Rooster roamed around
the farm, whipping the other roosters and claiming his territory..
In late summer, the fighting rooster began flogging anyone who walked by
him.
This grew worse as time passed and us small children couldn't go near him..
It was on Thanksgiving morning when he made his fatal mistake, he jumped on
my Dad! He kicked that Red Rooster and broke its neck! Mama immediately put
on a pot of water and prepared to make chicken and dumplings and that made
all the children happy and we ran out into the yard to play and sing
"She'll be Comin' 'Round the Mountain when she comes....."
"We'll kill the old red Rooster when she comes...we'll kill the Old Red
R..."
Uncle John showed up unexpectedly for dinner that day and after gorging
himself on chicken and dumplings, he leaned back and said, "That was mighty
good! Mighty Good!". Then he asked, "How is my Big Red Rooster doing?"
Mama said, "Not too good, we just ate him!" ..
G. Lee Hearl
Authentic Appalachian Storyteller
Abingdon, Va.