Harvest was explaining about the Chinese New Year to a spellbound group of pullets and cockerels.
"It began on 10 February this year. This marked the start of the current Year of the Snake on the Chinese Calendar. The date of the next Chinese New Year will be 31 January 2014 when it will be the Year of the Horse. Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival. Different animals represent different years - a total of twelve."
In unison they all excitedly asked what the other animals were.
"Well - there is an Ox. Like Lois. And a Dog - like Harvey. And a Rabbit. That would be Peter. Then there is a Rat. Like Roland and his chums."
"Is there a Chicken?" Piped up Gilly.
"Of course - a Rooster!" Harvest looked very pleased with herself, and then her beak drooped slightly. "Sadly no Duck" She shook her big brown head and looked at her foot.
"What else Harvest?" Reuben eagerly prompted her to continue.
"A Monkey! That could be Baby White! Mrs White was always calling him a Little Monkey! And a Tiger - like Strawberry The Cat! And a Pig - I suppose we are all guilty of that when a yummy morsel arrives."
They all laughed and trotted around.
"And a Snake of course. A Sheep and a Dragon" Harvest scratched the back of her head with a large webbed foot. "I can't remember the last one now --- aaah! Yes! A Horse!"
Just then the two Spotty Bantams - Les and Larry scooted through the yard. In a flash Gaylord called across -
"You could be The Year of The Horse - Les arn' yer?!"
[No comment. Gordon]
"It began on 10 February this year. This marked the start of the current Year of the Snake on the Chinese Calendar. The date of the next Chinese New Year will be 31 January 2014 when it will be the Year of the Horse. Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival. Different animals represent different years - a total of twelve."
In unison they all excitedly asked what the other animals were.
"Well - there is an Ox. Like Lois. And a Dog - like Harvey. And a Rabbit. That would be Peter. Then there is a Rat. Like Roland and his chums."
"Is there a Chicken?" Piped up Gilly.
"Of course - a Rooster!" Harvest looked very pleased with herself, and then her beak drooped slightly. "Sadly no Duck" She shook her big brown head and looked at her foot.
"What else Harvest?" Reuben eagerly prompted her to continue.
"A Monkey! That could be Baby White! Mrs White was always calling him a Little Monkey! And a Tiger - like Strawberry The Cat! And a Pig - I suppose we are all guilty of that when a yummy morsel arrives."
They all laughed and trotted around.
"And a Snake of course. A Sheep and a Dragon" Harvest scratched the back of her head with a large webbed foot. "I can't remember the last one now --- aaah! Yes! A Horse!"
Just then the two Spotty Bantams - Les and Larry scooted through the yard. In a flash Gaylord called across -
"You could be The Year of The Horse - Les arn' yer?!"
[No comment. Gordon]
 Reuben and friends with Harvest |  Les looked aghast |