No, it’s not literal, I’m not physically or mentally a rooster. I also do not “identify” as some type of poultry. I’m just a man, an adult human male. The responses to a statement like that, are very telling of the persons background and beliefs. Someone living on a farm, or who is otherwise familiar with Chickens and Roosters, and who knows their behavior will know exactly where the title is coming from. Then we have other responses revolving around identifying as a chicken, or magpie or some absurd fetish… this article isn't for them.
The headline is a figure of speech that in my opinion does not get enough usage. These birds are noble beyond description, and their unspoken oath to their wives and children is held to the death. They do this willingly because its their most important job as a man.
When presented with a threat, like a possum for example, the male rooster will first signal to his family with a loud distress call. The hens will then begin to retreat with the chicks, while the rooster buys them time. If the threat is assessed as being too grave for his survival, the rooster will begin his war games. His goal is simple, save as many of them as he can.
His second move, he physically gets between the possum and his fleeing family, but he doesn’t go straight to fighting it. No, the rooster has a strategy. The possum is pissed off, he bows his back up and shows the rooster his teeth. If the bird lost now, he knows the mission is failed. His flock is still too close, and the creepy varmint would certainly still get most of them. So he keeps a short distance from the possum, jumping, and slashing his claws in the air right in front of the invaders face. The possum hesitates, but lashes out at the rooster and misses. The next thing he knows, the bird is jumping over him, and he lands right behind the possum. This causes the possum to spin around. Then the rooster starts his hit and run attacks, jumping at the face of his target while furiously beating his wings at the same time. As he does the air between them is filled with feathers, leaves, and dust. The mighty bird sees his moment, and lunges forward talons first, he hits his target in the left eye while its distracted. He then jumps back a few feet, and encourages the attacker to follow him. The rooster is proud of his hit and starts crowing while beating his clawed feet into the ground. All the while, he is watching as the family that he’s protecting safely escapes over the horizon. The Possum hisses and swipes at the rooster again, but he jumps back another step. He’s still looking past the possum to his harem of hens. Once they get to what he deems a safe distance away, he continues luring the hunter away for a few more moments, and then he makes his great escape.
The possum is left with a wounded eye, and an empty stomach. The rooster did his job, and he did it well. His battle today was not to the death, but he was ready for it either way. . .
What did we learn from the rooster today?
Could we have learned this same lesson in natural instincts from a mother bear, or the Alpha in a wolf pack? Yes, of course we could have. The rooster however does not have the size of the bear, nor the reinforcement of an entire pack behind him. He is the one and only protector of his family, and would face off against the bear, or wolves with the same intent and vigor that he would with the possum. He isn’t cocky or fearless though, instead he is what we call brave and courageous. The idea that he could lose certainly causes him fear, but he faces it regardless of that. That is courage.
Be the Rooster.
This Article was inspired by the podcast done by Stijn Fawkes, with Clay Martin yesterday.
https://www.youtube.com/live/UETPkpR77pU?si=MkLgfWPHWTwSfPGv