Willow came to live in the little chicken village next to the Hoop House this summer. She always loved people and especially a special little girl named Addie.
Before she came here to live by the Hoop House, she spent many long summer days with her friend, Addie, who would feed her special “hen treats”.
They both would explore the backyard to look for all kinds of fun little Addabugs for Willow to eat. They would run through a sprinkler and just have lots of fun in the warm sunshine.
Willow, the Hen, loved people more than she liked her chicken friends. Willow also liked to walk alone so she would often be seen off in a distance checking under trees and around the garden for things to eat.
Willow did the most curious thing…she would say her name. I had heard a rooster crow or a hen cackle but I never knew a chicken who could say her name. Willow could.
She would look at me and say “Wi Wo”. She was a very sweet hen.
Willow was our Hen House Caretaker’s favorite. Willow would follow her for garden work as she gobbled up grubs and cut worms seeming to be thankful for each special bite.
She was never mean or temperamental. She slept in a certain hen house by a round window where she could always look out at the night sky.
Sometimes, she would roost on her house under the moon and starlight and I would gently pick her up and make sure she was tucked safely inside the hen house in her special place by her window.
I would always say “Goodnight Willow” as she watched me leave the hen house.
Today, I write a “Tribute to Willow” who I found in the hen house this afternoon where she died alone quietly just like she had lived alone quietly here.
She was young and healthy so I don’t know why or how but Willow is gone now.
I will continue to shut the hen houses up every evening at sundown and when I come to the hen house with the little round window, I will always say “Goodnight Willow” and I know she will hear me wherever she is.
