Where does one begin with Madge? This funny little hen has had a dramatic and persecuted life, complete with violence, mishaps and a new set of friends.
Madge
Madge’s story began when she was brutally injured and was not able to put weight on one leg. Picked on (literally) by her roommates, she was losing feathers at an alarming rate. The rain had matted her feathers, making her look even more bare than she truly was. The mud coated her legs, belly, and side, evidence of her lack of mobility. Forlorn, ugly and tired, her tail feathers slumped down and she hobbled along slowly.
After careful analysis, we determined Madge had indeed broken her leg. My husband, who in spite of himself is more sensitive than a first grader with a new puppy, suggested taping the injury. He declared, “If I ran to the store and bought some athletic tape I could tape it so it could heal.” And that is exactly what he did. I washed the mud off in the laundry room sink and held the patient close while Ben made careful use of his coach’s training intended for the world of adolescent sports. I’m certain the instructor never imagined his knowledge would be applied to a feathered farm animal.
Into the garden shed Madge went, so she could convalesce in peace, without the harassment from the other girls.
This is only the beginning of Madge’s tale. . .
