Little Billy came home from school, his small frame weighed down by the burden of a heavy heart. As he trudged up the front path, his eyes fell upon the sight that made his stomach churn – their beloved family pet rooster lay lifeless in the front yard, its once vibrant feathers now dulled by death. Rigor mortis had set in, freezing the rooster in a grotesque pose with its legs pointing awkwardly toward the sky.
Tears welled up in Billy’s eyes as he dropped his school bag and rushed over to the motionless bird. He knelt beside it, his small hands trembling as he reached out to touch its feathers, hoping against hope that it would stir back to life. But the rooster remained still, its eyes closed forever.
Heartbroken, Billy made his way into the house, his steps heavy with grief. He knew he had to tell his dad about what had happened, but the words caught in his throat as he struggled to find the right way to break the news.
When his dad finally arrived home from work, Billy was waiting for him with a solemn expression on his face. “Dad,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper, “there’s something I need to tell you.”
His dad, sensing the seriousness of the situation, knelt down in front of Billy and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. “What is it, son? What’s wrong?”
Billy took a deep breath, summoning the courage to speak. “It’s… it’s about the rooster,” he began, his voice catching in his throat. “He’s… he’s dead, Dad. I found him in the front yard.”
His dad’s face fell, a look of sadness crossing his features. He had grown fond of the rooster over the years, and the news of its passing hit him hard. But he knew he had to be strong for Billy’s sake.
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.”
And so, together they dug a shallow grave beneath the shade of a tall oak tree, laying the rooster to rest with all the dignity and respect it deserved. Billy said a few words, his voice trembling with emotion, before they covered the grave with earth and placed a small wooden cross to mark the spot.
As they stood there in silence, the sun sinking below the horizon, Billy’s dad realized just how precious life truly was – and how important it was to cherish every moment with those we love. And though their hearts were heavy with grief, they took comfort in knowing that the rooster would live on in their memories, a beloved member of their family forever.
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