It was the wildest night around Uncle Gordon’s house since the time Dooley put the Arthritis Hot Rub Ointment into the Preparation H tube. That caused some real excitement for Aunt Alvie, and eventually caused some problems for Dooley as well. But, that is another story and we will tell about that some other time.
In the middle of the night, Uncle Gordon was awakened by the unmistakable sound of chickens in distress. If you grew up on the farm, you will know exactly what I am talking about. This sound usually meant there was an intruder in the hen house. Most of the time, it would turn out to be some four-legged varmint, such as a fox, raccoon or weasel. It could mean that an owl was after the chickens, or on occasion it could be a two-legged varmint stealing a couple to sell.
No one answered a hen house alarm unarmed. Uncle Gordon had on his long Johns and there was no time to put on his overalls or his shoes. He grabbed up a flashlight, and the old 12-gauge shotgun, as he passed where it stood in the corner.
Aunt Alvie was right behind him in her nightgown and night bonnet. She had used her garden hoe to kill a snake the afternoon before and was able to arm herself with it, as they raced toward the henhouse. What they would find was completely unknown.
A big ol’ white possum was perched on the top rack of the chicken roost, sitting right between the old rooster and a prize hen. In his excitement, Uncle Gordon fired off a shot just as they entered the henhouse. The flashlight made it hard for him to aim his shotgun right. He missed the possum, but did manage to blow a hole out through the tin roof.
The chickens scattered wildly through the hen house and out the door into the night. The possum decided to make a run for it, rolled off the roost pole, and scampered out through a hole in the hen house wall. Aunt Alvie was able to get a lick at it but hit Uncle Gordon’s bare foot instead. He was very fortunate that the hoe was dull, leaving only a bruise on his foot. He said a few bad words in spite of himself.
There are many surprises in life. Sometimes they are pleasant, but often they are not. Keep yourself armed with the things of God, and every event that comes your way can be met with the proper response.