Every morning, this rooster across the hollow crows in a minor key. It makes me think of that children’s toy, the See N Say. What if the rooster from that toy sounded like this mournful bird I hear crowing every day?

I can imagine the play time. The parent says, “What does the cow say?” “Mooooo!” the child replies happily. “What does the dog say?” “Arf! Arf!” comes the reply with a smile.” And what does the rooster say?” Sad face, lips pouted, shoulders slumped, “Cockadoodledoo.”

What happened in this poor rooster’s life that taught him this melancholy cry? Maybe nothing specific happened. Maybe the rooster isn’t a morning rooster. Maybe the rooster is just being realistic.

I hear you, and I see you, mourning rooster.