The Unfortunate Turkey

 (Cartoon by Tony Sarrecchia)

Think of what the unfortunate turkey has to endure.

First, it has the reputation of being the original "bird brain," as though brain size and intellect go together.  They don't, regardless of the misconception that they do.

Then there's the common myth that says turkeys are so dim, they'll look skyward during a rainstorm and drown!  That's not true, either.

And what do we call people when we want to insult them or imply they are stupid?  That right, we call them turkeys!  We don't say, "You robin"  or "You ostrich."  We'd never say,  "You peacock" or "You sparrow." But we say,  "You turkey."  Fortunately, the accusation of being a turkey is often said fondly rather than maliciously.

Children are singing turkey songs this time of year. Sometimes the turkeys are fortunate, but more often they're not.

Five Fat Turkeys

Five fat turkeys are we.

We spent all night in a tree.

When the cook came around,

We were nowhere to be found

And that's why we're here, you see!

The Turkey Song

I'm a little turkey

Short and fat.

Thanksgiving Day is coming,

Now what do you think of that?

I had better run as fast as I can,

Or your mommy will roast me in a pan!

If  Turkeys Thought

If turkeys thought, they'd run away.

A week before Thanksgiving Day.

But turkeys can't anticipate,

And so there's turkey on my plate!

Did You Ever See a Turkey

 Did you ever see a turkey,

A turkey, a turkey.

Did you ever see a turkey

Run this way and that?

He runs, and he runs.

But he won't get away.

He is going to be my dinner on Thanksgiving Day!