Purpose Part 1.

In the Spring cycle of the calendar year 1943, my years are eight.

The Grandfather and I sat beneath the Apple Tree in my Grandmothers' yard, it was in full bloom, the air is filled with the aroma form its' sweet smelling blossoms. A warm breeze out of the South, welcomed, after a hard cold Winter. He was telling me the Teaching Stories, Purpose.

Before I tell you this Story I must give you an insight into what was happening around us.

My Grandmother had Chickens, ten Hens, a very large Red Leghorn Rooster, standing about eighteen inches and a very small Bantam Rooster, standing about six inches. The Bantam Rooster, for those who do not know, is a very colorful little bird and very spunky. You might say he "had attitude". When my Grandmother scattered corn out to feed the Chickens, this little Bantam Rooster would scoot sideways right up next to the big Red Leghorn Rooster and peck up the corn right where he was feeding. Now you know there was corn scattered all around a large area. This large Red Leghorn would be annoyed by the small Rooster getting up into his face, you might say, and eating, what I am sure, he concidered was his food. The Red Leghorn Rooster would side kick the little Bantam and he would go tumbling several feet. The Bantam would pick himself up, shake himself, smooth his feathers and then scooting back to where the larger Rooster was eating. This was repeated over and over, as long as there was corn to be eaten. I had watched this every day for the past two years that I came to live with my Grandmother. I saw it as very funny, at times giving me uncontrolled laughter because of the Bantams' very silly antics. I could never figure out the reason for this action by this silly little Bantam Rooster.

As The Grandfather and I were setting under the Apple Tree this scenario was going on with the Roosters. When there was a pause in the The Grandfathers' Story.

"Grandfather, you tell me everything has Purpose. What is the Purpose of the silly Bantam Rooster? He is too small to eat, just what is his Purpose?" I asked trying to contain my laughter.

The Grandfather looked down at me, amused at me trying hard to control my giggles. As always he had to think about it. He picked up his Pipe, filled it with Tobacco and lit it.

"Little Brother, as you know we are speaking about all things having Purpose," The Grandfather said. "The way I see it, this silly little Bantam Roosters' Purpose is to give you Humor."

I have to agree with The Grandfather, many times a simple answer for Purpose is all that is required, even when I could not understand the Bantam Roosters actions.

White Crow May 1943