Fowl King by Cara Bevan/Art from the Heart

"Fowl King"
16x20" acrylic on canvas
(C) Cara Bevan 2007

The “Fowl King”, also known as Big White, was an aggressive rooster with an air of
royalty. Dominant over the other aviary birds, he demanded every great
convenience. He claimed the highest roost to sleep on, the best parts of every treat,
and the best spots to dust and sunbathe. The Fowl King had his softness for people
though (his subjects) and would kindly greet them when a treat was going to be
handed out. The hens crowded around him like paparazzi and he was always the
main attraction. The King’s biggest competitor was the Fowl Emperor, a red rooster
known as Rosie. The Emperor was too strong and too respected, so the King let him
have his respect; after all, Big White had everything else.

One day, newcomers came into the kingdom. Twelve white hens blessed the King
with their presence and he was overcome with joy. But the newcomers were ill. They
used to live at a large poultry farm. Knowing nothing but steroids, indoors, and tight
cages, they caught the simplest of illnesses and had constant asthma. The King,
overcome by greed and pride, got the diseases too. It didn’t kill him, but it made him
weaker. Antibiotics only lessened the symptoms.

The King wasn’t to be outdone though. Illness didn’t damper his spirit and he still
crowed his dominance (even if the crow was a bit scratchy.) When new, healthier
hens arrived, he strutted for them and became their king too. However, in the brood
of hens came something else. One hen oddly grew into a large, orange rooster. The
King tried to fight him away like he had the Fowl Forlorn, but it was in vain. The new
rooster He-She was too big, too strong, and young. The King was sick and old. He
lost his position to the usurper. He may have lost his kingdom but He-She was kind
enough to give him his dignity. He still could roost in the best spot, get some treats
when the hens were done pecking, and dust and sunbathe when he pleased. Big
White died early March of 2009 a humble rooster. He was the Fowl King though and
that memory can never be rivaled.

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