Posted August 27, 2023

When Cindy and I were doing the Medina Farmers Market for ten years, we raised a lot of chickens because their eggs were a big seller. But one spring we sold a bunch of small eggs for half price. Invariably the women would ask how come we had so many small eggs. So this is what we told them....

“The hatchery had a large batch of genetically strange hens born with only one leg. They were willing to give them to us if we would give them a good home. We accepted their offer and took home about 25 chicks with only one leg. When they were small, they did really well and adapted to their condition. They grew.... and then the problems started.

As they came to egg laying age, the eggs that were forming in their body every couple of days was throwing their balance off and they kept falling over. We were spending all our time picking up the hens and helping them get their balance again. Finally we realized that if we cut down on their feed, they wouldn’t create such big eggs and that would help them with their balance. It worked and they were happy hens and we have lots of small eggs.” The women were in love with us for being such wonderful, loving farmers!

. . . . But, their husbands were rolling their eyes! “My wife is sooo gullible.” Yes we made it all up! Everybody laughed so hard that Saturday. I’m sure everyone we told that story to still remembers it.

In actuality, all hens lay small eggs at first and as their bodies grow, so do the eggs. To top off the story the next week, I brought a picture of all these hens at the feed trough. From the back, they all were standing on one leg (the other leg was keeping their balance out front on the feeder). We all laughed for a second week.

Storytelling is ancient. Every generation would pass on their history through telling stories around the fire. Often the stories were embellished or even made up. But it was fun and some were great story tellers. Let’s get this rolling again! Maybe even make it a family tradition every evening around supper. At first the kids will call it stupid. But stick to it and I’m betting they will jump on the bandwagon and look forward to the nightly laughter. So here is a starter for you...

The reason I’m Late.

Honey, I’m really sorry about getting home late. It was the snake’s fault! I forgot to roll up the window and when I opened the car door, there was a huge snake curled up in my seat. He was really big! I quickly closed the door. What should I do? There was no one else around. Suddenly the snake appeared at the window sill. I jumped back. It was holding a piece of paper in it’s mouth. I carefully reached over and took the paper. It read, “The zoo has assigned me to be your chauffeur. Get in the passenger seat.” You’ve got to be kidding. I just stood there looking at the snake. He looked back at me and hissed. I immediately walked carefully around to the passenger side and opened that door, wondering what was on that seat or floor. Nothing. I closed the door as the snake pushed the button to start the car.

With his head wrapped around the steering wheel and his tail operating the shift and foot pedals, we started down the road. He was a pretty good driver, but then I realized he didn’t know where I lived. So I started giving him directions. He was a good driver going straight and made good left turns.... but he couldn’t make a right turn. So I had to figure out how to get home using only left turns. When we got home he slithered out into the bushes. I looked over to see if he peed on the seat. There was another piece of paper - “see you tomorrow!” That’s why I’m late!

Ham this story up with all the fear and emotion you can muster. You’ll have your kids, and wife, in stitches. And you’ve laid the foundation for tomorrows adventure with “snake”. This time, just get the story going and let them take turns making up the rest of the story. Or maybe each one gets a certain night for their version of the “adventure”. Or maybe the next night the zoo sent a teddy bear to drive you home!

Life is not about the stuff, it’s about the journey. It doesn’t have to cost money, just imagination. The laughter you have around the table will be remembered forever. Next Thanksgiving, when grandma and grandpa visit, have one of the kids retell the original story. I’m sure they will embellish it even more. You’ll all be laughing together, again.

That’s what good play is all about.

No directions, nobody telling you that
“you can’t do it that way”.

It’s pure discovery!