Gillian Purvenas Kate Andrelczyk Jeb and the Chickens

One fine afternoon, on a farm far away, there lived a farmer named Jeb One fine afternoon, on a farm far away, there lived a farmer named Jeb. Now, you see, Jeb was a very competitive man. One day, he received a flyer about a contest for the biggest chicken in Stacyville. Jeb being Jeb, he had to have it. So, he decided to formulate a growth substance that would ensure his chicken’s win. Once he was done, he put it in little chicken Marshmallow’s food. He guessed about 15% of Marshmallow’s weight would do the job.

? Cluck? Cluck?! As Jeb fed Marshmallow 15% of his weight in growth substance, he saw that he was looking rather ill. “Oh, Marshmallow, you’re ok, aren’t you?” Jeb asked him. Being a chicken, Marshmallow just clucked in reply. He did sound rather nervous though. “Guess that’s a yes!” Jeb said, and went to bed.

??? The next morning, when Jeb got up to check on little Marshmallow, he was horrified to find his star chicken dead! “You know… I bet 15% was a bit much,” Jeb said somberly. “Maybe 5% will work!” So, Jeb mixed up another batch of growth substance for another chicken living in the coop, Meredith. He now knew over 10% of the growth substance became lethal!

:) Confident that 5% of Meredith’s weight would be the perfect amount to grow her big enough to win, Jeb carefully added the growth substance to her food. Nothing happened for the first few hours, but Jeb was just relieved that Meredith wasn’t getting sick. “I think this might be it! I’ll check back soon!” Jeb exclaimed. Another day done, he climbed up into bed.

… … = When Jeb checked next, nothing much had happened. Meredith didn’t look like she had grown at all! “Maybe 5% wasn’t enough… or maybe I’m just being impatient. I’ll check again soon!” Jeb said. He decided he would come back another day, and see if Meredith will have grown.

Cluck…? Well, the day came when Jeb would check on Meredith to see if she had grown… but nothing had happened! She was still the same size! Jeb could tell Meredith was very disappointed- and he was too. 5% wasn’t enough! There wasn’t long before the contest, so Jeb had to figure out something. He looked at the results of his two chickens, and decided the best dosage of his growth substance was above 5% and below 10%. So, he decided on 8%, to be safe.

? Jeb wasn’t going to give up. He wanted to grow a chicken so big, so impressive and strong, it would make the judges faint. In not too many weeks, the competition would be held. He was sure that this time, his growth substance would work. So he gave another chicken, Barnebous, about 8 %of his body weight in growth substance. So, hoping third time’s the charm, Jeb left.

!!! When Jeb went to check on Barnebous the next time, he was extremely pleased to find that he had grown! And by a lot at that! Jeb was even happier that he still had one more waiting period until the growth substance will have completed it’s full effect. Leaving with pride and a huge grin, Jeb finished his day as a farmer, quietly humming a happy song.

The next time Jeb went to check on Barnebous, he exclaimed, “I think it just might have worked!” Because, you see, Barnebous had grown so much he now towered over the barn! Jeb was positive Barnebous was going to win that competition. It was tomorrow morning at 11:00 sharp, so Jeb set at least 10 alarm clocks- 5 for himself, and 5 for Barnebous!

When Jeb and Barnebous arrived at the competition, the judge took one look at Barnebous and congratulated Jeb! He had won the competition! Barnebous seemed very happy with himself as well! Now, the award for Stacyville’s biggest and best chicken sits in Jeb’s kitchen, still unbroken! Who will win the competition next? Jeb has the honor of being a judge next year, so he’ll decide!