Kheri nodded, opened the gate and slipped inside, shutting it quickly behind him. Dale frowned slightly in the rooster's direction then followed suit.

The chickens scattered, squawking, as Kheri walked toward them, swinging the basket and the rooster gave a loud angry crow. Flapping his wings, he drew himself up to his full height, stretched out his neck and charged. Kheri fended him off with the basket and sprinted for the hen house, then disappeared inside, the rooster in hot pursuit. Dale stood there speechless, watching. A few seconds later Kheri came running out of the hen house with the basket over his head and the rooster close behind him. He vaulted over the fence, caught his foot on it and landed in a heap on the ground. The rooster, satisfied now that the intruder was gone, strutted off to take up his sentry duty among the hens.
"I see what you mean," Dale commented, trying not to laugh as he looking over the fence at the pile on the ground. "Did you get any eggs?"
A muffled sound came out from under the basket and Kheri pushed himself up on one arm.

"No I didn't get any eggs! Here!" He tore the basket off his head and flung it in Dale's general direction. "Let's see you do any better," he growled, his temper frayed beyond controlling for the moment.