“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”
Proverbs 29:1
There once was a regal rooster, raised from chick to cockerel in the same yard. He knew his yard and all his lands around. He knew where his yard ended and where the wilds began. Every day he would climb to the very top of the barn, survey all his domain and call to the sun. And the sun would rise. The rooster thought himself very fine indeed.
Everyday, too, he would descend from the peak and scuttle across the yard to the gate to see his lands beyond. Then the farmer would tromp across the field pick him up just as he reached the outer edge. The farmer picked the rooster up and gave him a swat before launching him back into the yard. It was a great indignity.
Everyday as the shadows of dawn receded, the chicken would summit the high barn. And everyday as the farmer walked out for his chores, the same cock would waddle across the yard to his swat. Day in and day out the rooster surveyed, scuttled, and was swatted. He never turned, but got sniffier about it every time.
One day the farmer was sick in bed and he did not get up when the rooster crowed. The rooster descended from above and strutted, neck long to the gate, anticipating the swat.
He went straight out the gate and into the wide wide world.
But at that moment a stealthy wolf seized the moment and charged the bird. He hit him so hard the rooster’s stiff neck broke. The wolf enjoyed a robust stew that night and said, “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”
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