My childhood was at Feeny’s Lane Benloch. It was a country (bush) home which I loved growing up in. We had many animals including chickens, emus, sheep, dogs, cats, and fish.

I named one chicken Kelly, she was blind, and pure white. I woke up one morning and found out a fox had got her, my brother and I cried for AGES.

I also named our 3 roosters, Fredrick my favorite was a beautiful multicoloured rooster was attacked (I was about 6-7 I think) by my neighbours pack of 21 dogs (5 attacked him at once), they ripped his neck open. I ran to him (I saw what happened from the veranda) with my dolls blanket and wrapped him up, I held him till he died balling my eyes out. Then dad had to fight to get him off me, I didn’t want to let him go, it broke my heart that he died. Dad did eventually (after about thirty minutes) get Fredrick off me and dug a grave, exactly were he died, then we buried him and put a fence around “the grave” so the dogs couldn’t come back and dig him up (which they tried, I saw them and got the wood cutting axe and ran at them screaming, I think I injured one, not badly, but I was so upset, they chose to come back on the same day so its their own fault!). Fredrick was the most friendliest and loyal rooster I’ve ever had, he would only let ME pick him up anytime, but no one else could get near him. The funny thing is that I named him after he attacked me (he thought I was a fox, because I crawled into the chicken pen at night and was growling-don’t ask why I was, I was a crazy child). He never attacked me after that, he drew blood that one time and made my lip swollen (he jumped at my face!!). he could fend of any fox, he killed 2 in his days, as I said a wonderful rooster, its just a pity he couldn’t fend off 5 dogs in a surprise attack (I swear the dogs were organised, they came pelting out of the bush straight at him, then jumped at him, he didn’t stand a chance!).

The second and third roosters I named were twins, except Milo had a lighter brown than Freddo. They were both pansy’s, running away from foxes and dogs, if there was a fox around then they were not to be seen for miles. They only reason we kept them was because I wouldn’t let dad kill them for tea, and they helped the chicken population on our farm. Milo died first, he fell into a large bucket and drowned I have no idea how that happened, I just found him floating in it near the chook pen. Freddo got taken by a fox, I also saw this happen, because of them two pansy’s dad had to put up a spot light, too many chickens were going missing in the night, and dad would wait on the veranda for the spotlight to go on and then he would shoot the fox. This one time dad missed, and it had Freddo in his mouth.

I also named two emus, cuddles would let you hug him at any time and sit with him and his eggs, most emus would take a runner at you from five meters away, and run you into the ground (I learnt that the hard way). He unfortunately died of starvation; we had no money to feed the emu's with.

The second emu was called cuddles. He, like Fredrick, would only let ME come near him, I let him into the bush after cuddles died because I knew cuddles would be next, he lasted a bit out there, I don’t know how he is now.

We had three white sheep; Bell, Fluffy, and Lambie. I sat on Lambie and hit her behind and yelled out “YAH!” and she shot out from under me. I learnt my lesson.

One cat I had was called Rati (pronounced rah-ty) he was the size of a medium dog, and pure black, people came to believe he was the Black Panther and they still think he’s running loose in the bush. He was VERY tolerant of me (he was my sack of potatoes as mum said).

My first scariest moment would be almost setting the house on fire! I wanted to start the fire by myself, so I stuffed it full of wax paper and lit it! The fire came out of the fire place and went up the chimney, dad heard the roar and me and Casey screaming and came running, and I thank the lord the house didn’t burn down!

My second scariest moment was involving one of my neighbours, a crazy old man who lived on the property behind us. He lived in a car, and a small wooden shed. I said hi to him and he grabbed his gun and started swearing at me and fired it into the air, I ran off screaming and didn’t go near the boundary of our property and his again!! I was on MY side of the fence! I was 3 whole meters away from his side!! I guess he’s just some crazy old fool. He chased me too. For a bit.

My most embarrassing moment was getting married! I had several play marriages to the same person-Shane P-and every time Casey or Cheree said “you may kiss the bride” Shane and I would make a face and say “Ewwww! Do we have to? Cant we just hug?” Casey and Cheree would try their best to make us kiss but they never got anywhere (Cheree was our next-door neighbour, Shane was a good friend and we had a crush on each other, and Casey is my brother). It was fun and afterwards we would choose teddy bears and pretend they were our children!

I was a crazy child! I still am a bit! I guess old habits die hard, so I shall be a crazy child for a long time yet!

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By Jade Elizabeth
Was like 7th grade... not in essay format..

Mark from teacher:
Very articulate and well written piece, with some entertaining events. A great childhood.
S= satisfactory (meain I didn’t get a NS= not satisfactory or an NA= not attended)