Little Billy came home from school to see the family’s pet rooster dead in the front yard. Rigor mortis had set in and it was flat on its back with its legs in the air. When his Dad came home Billy said, “Dad

Together, father and son made their way outside to where the rooster lay, still and silent in the fading light of the day. Billy’s dad knelt down beside him, his heart heavy with sorrow.

“I’m so sorry, son,” he said softly, wrapping an arm around Billy’s shoulders. “I know how much you loved that rooster.”

Billy nodded, his eyes brimming with tears. “I’m gonna miss him, Dad. He was my friend.”

His dad squeezed his shoulder gently, offering what little comfort he could. “I know, son. But we’ll give him a proper goodbye, okay? We’ll bury him in the garden and say a prayer for him.”