Photos

The name of this Ukrainian Carpathian village is Sokoliwka, which more or less means "place of hawks". It is therefore the rooster's job, my hostess (and the owner of these premises) told me, to keep his women out of harm's way - away from the circling hawks, off the road, and in check from wandering off altogether. In the neighbouring village of Yavoriw a rooster received the ultimate sentence of main course at Sunday dinner for allowing his flock to scatter. It's a serious job.

I was much taken (except for the morning crowing) by the very pretty barn fowl in this place. Chickens such as these, who lead happy lives in beautiful surroundings until their number is up, I don't so much mind eating. After all, it's me or the hawks, and old age is no fun for anyone.

[Scanned photo.]