My trophy chickens

I had been feeding my birds watermelon rinds and other fruit leftovers, so I knew they were well fed.

My mom still tells me about my first experience in the wonderful world of 4-H. I was not quite 4 years old when I became a 4-H Cloverbud and participated in my first poultry show.

I was the youngest participant, but I wasn't nervous or afraid as I stood proudly by my pen of chickens, calmly answering questions and talking to the judges. I believe Mom and Granddaddy were the nervous ones because she later told me that they had gotten jittery just looking at the other children's birds. Granddaddy thought mine looked too small (he called them puny!). I could have told them not to worry because I had also been feeding my birds watermelon rinds and other fruit "leftovers," so I already knew that my birds were well fed.

Needless to say, we were all delighted when the judge announced my name as the Reserve Grand Champion. Mom and Granddaddy let out a huge sigh of relief.

After the show, I relaxed with my Granddaddy and thought to myself, "All in a day's work." We sure were proud of my trophy.

Prattsie Cunningham, Roxboro, Piedmont EMC