Introduction
In the quiet holler of my childhood, one unforgettable night taught me the true meaning of courage and sacrifice. It wasn’t just a lesson about life in the mountains or the unpredictable dangers of the wild—it was a testament to fierce love and unwavering protection. The hero of this story wasn’t just my Mama, though she was a force of nature, but also an old hen who showed the same grit and devotion in her small but powerful way.
A Night of Chaos in the Holler
It started with an unexpected commotion. One of Mama’s hens, a scrappy little thing sitting on her eggs out in the mountains, erupted into squawking. Her cries echoed into the night, drawing attention from both humans and the dogs, who barked wildly in alarm. In the blink of an eye, Mama leaped out of bed, grabbing a flashlight with Daddy trailing behind her, rifle in hand.
The tension was thick as they made their way through the darkness to the nesting hen. Mama’s flashlight beam revealed a pitiful sight: the hen, injured and nearly bare-headed, but stubbornly holding her ground over her eggs. A predator—likely a raccoon—had tried to make a meal of her and her unborn chicks. Yet, despite her wounds, that hen hadn’t moved an inch from her nest.
Mama and Daddy brought her back, carrying the hen and her precious eggs into the safety of the house. While Daddy set about ensuring the threat was gone, Mama gently tended to the brave little bird. With soothing hands, she applied salve to the hen’s wounds and murmured kind words, setting her up in a cozy box for the night. The next morning, the hen was relocated to the henhouse, where her only foes were the cranky old hens, far less dangerous than the wild.
The Fierce Love of a Mother Hen
That scrappy little hen became a symbol of resilience for me. Despite her size and the odds stacked against her, she chose to stay and fight to protect her eggs. She reminded me of my Mama. Just like that hen, Mama carried a fierce determination for her children, always putting our safety and well-being above her own. Whether it was tending to scraped knees, praying endlessly for us, or protecting us in ways we didn’t even notice at the time, Mama’s love was as strong as steel.
Growing up, it became clear that her prayers weren’t just whispered words—they were armor. She prayed over every challenge, every danger, and every decision we faced. In her own way, Mama was our protector, standing her ground against the trials of life, just like that brave hen.
A Lesson in Sacrifice and Love
The memory of that night often drifts back to me when I think about the sacrifices parents make. It’s a reminder of the deep parallels between nature and human love, where even the smallest creatures can teach us about courage and selflessness. That hen didn’t see herself as a hero; she just acted on instinct and love for her chicks. Mama was the same way.
This story isn’t just about chickens or mountain life—it’s about the universal power of love, resilience, and protection. So the next time you see a hen sitting on her eggs or a mother tirelessly working for her kids, take a moment to reflect. Heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and feathers.
Mama always said, “Mother hens, right?” And she couldn’t have been more right.
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