HE WOULDN’T LET GO OF THE CHICKEN—AND I DIDN’T HAVE THE HEART TO TELL HIM WHY SHE WAS MISSING YESTERDAY

That’s Nugget. She’s not just a chicken—she’s Finn’s chicken.

Every morning, Finn runs outside to find her, talking to her like she’s a classmate. After his mom left, Finn became quiet and distant, but Nugget changed that. She brought him back to life—he smiled again, ate, slept, and laughed, all because of her.

Then one day, Nugget disappeared.

We searched everywhere but found nothing. Finn cried himself to sleep clutching her photo. The next morning, Nugget returned, a little muddy and scratched but alive, with a red ribbon tied to her leg and a tag that said: “Returned. She chose to come back.”

We later met an elderly woman who had found Nugget and returned her, explaining the chicken had wandered off before. She’d put the ribbon on her, hoping she’d make it back home. The woman told Finn that Nugget had spoken about him, and Finn, overwhelmed, hugged her in gratitude.

The woman gave Finn a book about a bird that always finds its way home. That evening, Finn was ready for school, and Nugget stayed in the coop. Finn waved to her as he left, holding the book close.

In the end, it wasn’t just about Nugget. It was about the power of connection and the kindness of strangers. Small acts of kindness can make all the difference.