True stories of a small flock of remarkable individuals -- and other critters.



Friday, March 23, 2012

THE RING

Nine years ago, I was cleaning out a bird house at the corner of the yard.  As I pulled out the nest material my ring flew off my finger and into a pile of leaves.
I made mental note of the exact spot where it landed, then put the bird house back together.

When I went to retrieve the ring, I couldn't find it. 
I was not heartbroken - it wasn't especially precious to me. Just a ring that I liked. 


Weeks, months, years passed. Whenever I was in that general area I kicked leaves around, looking for a glimmer of silver and red. 


I wondered if it had rolled down a chipmunk hole, or had been buried deep by hard-working worms. 


Today, I parked the chicken-tractor in that spot so the girls could do some worm-hunting in the cool shade.


Well, I'll be darned.


Pigeon didn't seem interested. 


She had more important business.



The sparkly red gem is missing, 


but I'm not going to hunt for it.















19 comments:

  1. I hope someone didn't eat the Gem, my ladies love red! :)

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  2. What a great story - maybe the red gem will show up.....

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  3. I wear a little gold ring on my right hand that has a red gem in it and the chooks often have a peck at it. I bet that's what happened to your gem. I wouldn't go looking for it, either lol. It will help someone to grind their grain in the gizzard no doubt.

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  4. reminds me the story of the swedish woman and the carrot....http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8987079/Swedish-woman-finds-wedding-ring-on-a-carrot.html

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  5. I lost an earring in the meadow this winter, and looked and looked. Two weeks ago I let the girls out to free-range. I tidied the barn, and when I stepped out, there were several hens at the door, and my earring at Topaz's feet. Did she find it and bring it back? I'm surprised none of them ate it. A mystery!

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  6. Wow, it's pretty amazing you found it again. Then again, chickens are good at uncovering stuff.

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  7. You brought me my first smile of the new day.
    It's a shame about the missing gem, but you got a sweet and funny story... a fun share.

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  8. Bling goes underground. Queen of the worms?

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  9. Lol, I know Terry was telling a story about a hen who swallowed a diamond ring, and got caged for a week so her poor owner could finally get back through the poo.

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  10. hehehe I'm sure one of them ate it. They seem to love red, especially a red pedicure!

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  11. That is too funny, and I'm with you... Unless it was a very precious stone I wouldn't be looking for it either! ~ Lynda

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  12. Amazing. Chickens are the best and are very good hunters.

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  13. Lauren...

    That's a great story to start my day. Isn't it amazing when something that has been lost for so long turns up right where you thought it would be? Great photos and drawings. I hope this will be a chapter in your book.

    xo, Rosemary

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  14. You even drew the "steam" arising from the poo! It's the little touches.

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  15. HI, glad to be following your blog. Loved that story.

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  16. Amazing story!!! Nine years in the finding!

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  17. I love your blog!!!!!! I added it to my blogroll! I love the pictures and everything! You can find me at www.fruittreehillhannibal.blogspot.com it's our first year of raising chickens and we LOVE them!!!!! JL~

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