My husband suggested hens’ aversion to rats originated in Europe during the plague. I can see why rubbery skulled, slithering creatures who carry disease give people creeps.

When I saw Rat, whom I affectionately named Squeeze, playing in the excessive straw that my childish mind imagined was “good” for the hen pen, it occurred to me to avoid stereotypes.

Squeeze’s ancestors likely did not plan the destruction of civilization, did they? Can you convict a creature of a crime if there is no “mens rea”? Can a Rat who has a pinhead possess the guilty mind or “criminal intention” necessary for punishment?   

My sister is “Old School.” She said I should shoot it. That was before I named him. I am not ready for another crisis of conscience. Yesterday we removed the excess straw that Squeeze was frolicking in, so he must continue finding his way according to his own nature. Rats have lived thousands of years without my help. Squeeze will be fine!

My husband also mentioned “Rat” means traitors in criminal business enterprises. Pinheads who are human beings clearly are more capable of “willful intent” (mens rea) although ‘guilty mind’ is questionable. Is the guilt of the mind or of the heart, or both?

My hens are out enjoying their fabulous forsythia hedge. It’s a tangled mess of branches so fun to navigate and explore. It’s perfect protection from predators.

I hope Rat redeems himself by continuing his way and not plotting any retaliation against me because of his removal from the pen. Squeeze may be a pinhead, but I have no proof he is a malevolent pinhead.

Now I know why we have trials (that is adversity, strains, and problems) to see what the truth about our nature is. Like “trials” in the sense of a criminal trial, where we sort out the facts to see whether the accused is guilty or innocent. Suffering is good, my trials are good, that is my conclusion, in the sense that it saves me from being a pinhead, willfully or ignorantly.

As for Rats generally speaking, one must not stereotype a person or creature. You need proof of ill-will. Did they plan to spread disease? Rats? How do you know? You need a trial. You need to seek truth. You need to study one’s nature in the trial.