The cockerel and the farmer

A farmer noticed that his prize cockerel seemed to lack the energy he used to have, and realised it was getting old. He decided to take the load off the old cockerel by getting a much younger one in to sort the lady hens out.

The older cockerel didn't like this one bit, and being old and wise, he realised that not only would the younger bird be taking over his territory, it would only be a matter of time before the farmer started to ask himself why he was still paying to feed the older cockerel. The old chap needed a plan.

When the arrogant young lad turned up, and immediately started strutting about, trying to be the cock of the flock, the old cockerel realised at his age, he couldn't beat the younger one in fight, the lady hens wouldn't side with him, all he had was his wits.

He challenged the younger cockerel to a race. Three laps of the hen house. The younger one obviously thought it would be an easy victory. The race began, and the younger lad was off. The old chap just waited until the younger one had almost lapped him, and then making as much noise as possible so as to get the farmers attention, he ran away from the younger one.

The next day, the older cockerel challenged the younger one to a re-match. Again he tricked the younger one into being behind, while he screamed for the farmers attention. He did this the next day, and the next and the next until one day the farmer came, removed the young cockerel who was never seen again.

The older cockerel heard the farmer talking to his friend.

'How did it go with the new cockerel?' asked the farmers friend. 'Oh, him, we had him for tea, he was no good. He wasn't going to sort out the lady chickens, he was gay. He had no interest in the lady hens, he spent all his time chasing the old cockerel round the hen house'.