Turkeyday: The Gobbler Perspective

How long has it been since I've been trapped here? I don't know, maybe a month, maybe less. I remember darkness, pain, the jingle of money changing hands, I am a slave, chattel to be bought and sold. These people, so strange in the way they speak, even in the way they move. Why am I here? What do they want from me?1

I tried to escape once, they hadn't caged me securely, the latch only half done. I had shoved, and was out, running free. A gun fired, I remember several sharp stinging pains in my body, then I fell, the thunder ringing in my ears even as the burnt powder cloyingly permeated my nostrils.2

"Got 'im Pa!" someone shouted, babble, was it a victory chant of sorts? I try so hard to communicate with them, to ask what they wan of me, but it's no use... They only laugh at me. I'm so tired, I think I'll eat my meager meal and sleep, sleep makes the world go away, it makes me dream of my home. I can't try to escape anymore, there's a lock on the cage, one I can't figure out.3

Mealtime, one of them feeds me. The same water and corn meal I always get. I shouldn't complain, I'm well fed, safe and dry in this cage, but I am caged, I must get out, I must get free! One of them spoke to me today, the words odd to my ear "gettin' fat" what does it mean? I hear it so often, it must be of some importance to them... If only I could learn their language, will I have the chance? 4

There is a sense of excitement about, hanging statically in the air like the clouds before a thunderstorm. Everyone is moving, chattering, I smell food cooking, apples, it smells like. The leader comes for me, grinning viciously with his dark cold eyes, two brown buttons that radiate malice to me, an innocent.5

"How now ?" he laughs uproariously, making a joke perhaps? I laugh hesitantly back, then squeal in fear as he reaches into my cage, grabbing me by the throat, "What?! No! Let me go!" I struggle, flailing everywhere until he finally binds my legs, then my arms, so painfully tight. Still I struggle, I must get free, my family is waiting for me, who will provide food for them if I don't get back?! Some stump, in the middle of a yard, littered with work tools, I see a tractor, the wheel looming above the head of a small boy who watches with interest.6

The leader of this strange cult forces my head down, neck vulnerable across the stump, and I roll my eyes, seeing a glint of light on metal as he leans back, oh god, merciful god, he plans on killing me. I hear a whistle as the axe descends, and shut my eyes tight in fear.....7