Written on 26 December 2018
“Now, let's gather round and raise a glass to those we lost this Christmas.”
The turkeys mournfully raised their goblets silently. Some wept. Others were beyond console. Others still just stared blankly into the middle distance.
“I want to say something.” it was Tomin. Him and his baby brother had lost their whole family. But he sounded stoic, and looked defiant. “We've taken a hit. To say we're not hurting, that we don't bleed for those we've lost would be a lie.” he hopped on a hay bail so everyone could see him.
“But we, the turkeys I see in front of me, have been given a reprieve. We need to live our lives.” a few of the Turkeys nodded in agreement.
“We need to rebuild, and prosper.” A murmuring of consensus.
“We need to ensure that our family, friends and loved ones did not die in vain.” The turkeys were yelling now, with hope and excitement.
“We must live!” and the place went wild. Turkeys hugged, turkeys through their feathers in the air. Turkeys gobbled with pride.
Just then, the barn door opened. It was 2 of the overseers. The turkeys fell silent.
“Did you hear? We've just signed a deal with Bernard Matthews.” one said to the other as he collected the jacket he'd evidently left behind. “Looks like we're going to be killing a lot more Turkeys next year.”
The barn door shut behind them. The turkeys all slowly turned towards Tomin who was still standing on the hay bail.
“EVERY TURKEY FOR THEMSELVES.” He yelled, and the turkeys attacked each other in a frenzy of pecking, clawing and wing beating. There were feathers and blood everywhere.