The hens and I have been at the wilderness encampment for a few months now. We explored the kinds of organization methods to ensure their well-being and survival. (If your survival is at stake, fun must wait.) There is a natural order to life’s demands which you can discover if you pay attention. Like my enthusiasm for hay has wreaked havoc on the natural order of the hen- rat relationship. Now we all are suffering the consequences. 

I sensed an admonition in an earlier post when I was happily holding hay. CS Lewis calls this an “Numinous” experience- where I am not quite alone and there is some great matter at hand that I need to pay attention to. Sadly, I reasoned within myself (because foolishly we believe that is all that matters) that no ill can come of TOO MUCH HAY and smugly assumed the ominous messenger was mistaken.

The result of my over enthusiasm for hay and pride was that rat moved into the hay with as much enthusiasm as I spread it. Tunneling under and around the hutch opens doors to any creature like snakes, rats, and weasels to gain access to the coop without any hardship. There is just no way of allowing rat his fun-having without these unplanned consequences which will destroy the hen’s well-being. And mine.

Rats can’t be allowed free reign because chaos will ensue. They burrow, they gnaw, they erode the foundation upon which the hutch stands. We’ll all be swallowed up in a sink hole if rats behavior is left unchecked. The natural order suggests I decide rat’s future as I have the biggest head. So, not to demonize rat unnecessarily, I will refer to him as “Squeeze” from now on.

Although Squeeze was happy in the abundance of straw I laid, he assumed my kindness was license to do whatever he may like to do. (He has a tiny head, so he can’t be counted on to view how his behavior may adversely affect others.) Regardless of how happy I was to supply heaps of straw and how happy Squeeze was to explore and enjoy its warmth and comfort, my kindness did not equal “goodness.” How could Squeeze make such a distinction that his natural tunneling behavior was damaging? Unless he received an ominous warning and ignored it? That was my job.

The second adverse effect of me ignoring the ominous warning about supplying too much “straw” “kindness” “goodwill” as I imagined, was that the hens are spending all their time in it. I have made a “Safe Space” that is almost detrimental to their health. No light! No exercise! No experiencing New England winter in all its glory and challenges. I have smothered them, NOT mothered them to be healthy, rugged, New England hens.

Two hens hiding out in their lonely (but warm) hutch. I need to get busy building a foundation for the hutch that Squeeze cannot permeate and destroy. The hens and Squeeze are depending on me to “right” what I have wronged by my foolish behavior and bring order and harmony to our existence.

Lesson for today: Listen to the ominous warnings in your heart when you are fortunate to hear them.