I am Sparta-Cock
My heart raced every time I heard the shots
I am Sparta-Cock.
I have lived my entire existence on the edge of the woods in the British countryside. The farm I was born on fed us well, scattering grains across the forest floor. It seemed like a good life for a woodcock like me, but I instinctively knew there was something wrong.
For several days each week, the sharp, smoky crack of gunfire echoed through the trees. Familiar faces from our flock vanished. My heart raced every time I heard the shots.
The others appeared indifferent, or maybe they ignored the noise. But I couldn’t, as it had become clear to me that humans were enslaving my kind with the promise of food and then killing them. If I didn’t make a stand, it would be me next.
One evening, as the sun dipped low, I spoke up.
“Do you hear the guns? That’s our friends being shot. Soon, it will be us. Follow me at dusk. We’ll find a peaceful place we can call our own.”
The flock stirred, uncertain, before murmuring in confusion.
Doubting-Cock, always sceptical, ruffled up his feathers to make himself look larger. “But how can you be sure? They might not shoot us, and we have food here. Who are you to tell us what to do?”
“My name is Sparta-Cock,” I stated proudly. “I see beyond this place. Trust in me.” I spread my wings wide, hoping they’d realise I was being true.
As the light faded, I signalled to the woodcocks in my area that it was time. Then silently, I took to the sky. I heard the others follow, even Doubting-Cock. Together, we left the only world we’d known far behind.
We found a new home many acres away from the farm. The air was crisp and scented with pine. The earth rich with life. We had food from nature, shelter in the forest, and most of all, freedom.
I became the leader, making sure no bird went hungry or feared. We thrived, raising our young in peace, and taking our chance against animal predators.
Then on a damp, misty morning, the past caught up. The men from the farm came looking. We were just money to them.
Eventually they had us surrounded, guns at the ready.
A gruff man spoke with a voice chilly as the wind. “We know there’s a rogue bird among you, one who lied and led you away. Winter is coming, and food here will be scarce. Come back with us. You’ll be safe. We’ll provide shelter and everything you could possibly want to eat.”
The flock fell silent. I heard wings flutter nervously.
The human’s next words echoed around us. “Surrender your rogue leader, then the rest of you can return and live. Give him up now. We know his name — which one of you is Sparta-Cock?”
Fear gripped me when I realised I would have to own up and lose my life so the flock could survive.
I took a small step forward and was about to shout, “I am Sparta-Cock.” But before the words left my beak a single voice from the middle of the group chirped out, “I am Sparta-Cock.” Another chirp followed, and then another, until a wave of wings rose, and bird after bird declared, “I am Sparta-Cock… I am Sparta-Cock!” Defiance in their tone.
“I am Sparta-Cock… I am Sparta-Cock…”
Pride filled my heart. My flock, my family. They refused to betray me, or to let fear break them.
In that moment, I knew our freedom couldn’t be taken — not by guns, not by threats.
We stood together, we lived together and we would die together.
Chirp Chirp - Author chat
In the above allegory, I ran with the themes of freedom and camaraderie from the classic tale of Spartacus, (the gladiator who led a slave uprising against the Roman Republic)
Sparta-Cock inspires his fellow woodcocks to stand together even when the path forward is uncertain. They are brave and united — reflecting the potent power of solidarity.
And I expect you all wonder where I got the idea from?
Well, a while back, I was walking two eager dogs through a farm field, when suddenly right in front of us a flock of woodcocks took to the air. The dogs and I had not noticed the birds camouflaging themselves within the colours of the grass. It was quite a display. This led to excited canines and me giving the woodcocks a story of their own.
Of course, I also wanted to write this as there are serious issues discussed. I love to use fiction as a way for readers to learn something about the real world.
For more real information, check out:
Woodcock shooting from Fields Sport.
Spartacus on Wikipedia
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I remember this story so well and love-love-love it still! 💜
I really like the animal allegory. So moving. I do believe animals also stand up for each other.❤️