Otis the King, parts 1555 - 1558

 1555. We have the honor of greeting and announcing the new day. The idea of the new dawn is traditionally seen as an optimistic omen. Nevertheless, the fact is we are considered a bird of ill omen, and in history we often enter the stage at a time of tragedy. This I fear had its beginning with the death of Socrates, whose last words were, “Crito, we own a cock to Asclepius.”

1556. Then about four hundred years later we roosters are dragged into a tragedy again, when Christ is about to be crucified and he says to Peter, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Why is it, I ask you Otis, that we roosters are abused as a symbol in history in this way; why not utilize a crow, or a goat or pig.  The crows at least are known for crowing out their dismal warnings.

1557. “I think,” said Otis,  “that the use you roosters as a symbol of death has a very obvious unconscious explanation. Please forgive me for saying this, but I believe it stems from the unfortunate habit you roosters have of running all over the place for a short time after your heads are cut off.”

 1558. Even though a pious individual may have a deep faith in the hereafter, when death approaches they are filled with fears and doubts. They exert all of their efforts to form a positive image of life in the great beyond, but they fail to form any meaningful image. The fact remains, the only image of life after death they know about is provided by you roosters in a most graphic and disturbing way; which pops into their minds as if to spite them.