How Do You React to the Unexpected?

From daily quirks to life-altering events, we can all take a page from the book of this chicken’s life.

Up until a few years ago, he had lived his entire life in the dark. Now he is free and passing on a story. Or, rather, those who helped him are passing on his story.

A tale to be told

His story begins like many others of his kind. However, a caring woman operating a small shelter in rural Germany decided to purchase him from the large farm owner. She mentioned in a later statement that, “it was very cheap to buy him”.

After taking him home to her small coup, she was a bit surprised by some of his behavior. When he first walked out of the coup he quickly returned inside. Deciding to let him be, she went on with her day. After a few hours, she came back out to check on him.

At first, she started to panic when she saw him lying flat on his back next to a tree, under the sun. Recalling the event, she later explained to the locals, “It was so scary, I thought he had a heart attack and died”. In actuality, nothing was further from the truth.

Of course, she had immediately rushed over to him, and she found him — sunbathing. Apparently, he was enjoying his new time outdoors. Noting that she is, “not a newbie when it comes to raising chickens”, she had never seen a chicken sunbathe.

A short reflection

It took this chicken a matter of hours to appreciate the new opportunities in front of him. To relax. To enjoy his time out in the unknown.

Instead of running away — and staying away — from things that are unfamiliar, why not try to explore them? Perhaps you try it out and you find that it is not for you. Maybe that chicken regularly sunbathed after that, maybe he tried it once and realized he didn’t like it. At least he tried.

When something unexpected happens, whether that be a new opportunity arriving or an old endeavor failing — there is agency in exploration.