The Red Hen is perhaps the gentlest hen we have had in some time, she has a soft cluck and is often off by herself, sitting quietly in a tree stand or behind a bush. She is welcome now to eat with the other hens and share their food and roost, but she does not march out to the pasture with the other chickens or prowl around the yard. The only time I see her run is when Fate decides to chase her. (Fate is a trouble addict.)

The Red Hen reminds me to be merciful and charitable. I think we have all been refugees at one time or another, at Christmas especially, we are reminded to hold out our hands and hearts to those in trouble and need. The Red Hen is just a chicken, she is not important or powerful, but animals are good symbols for me, they always seem to open up the better parts of me and remind of what it means to be a human being.