‘To Raise Poultry’: The Humor in Humanity

A short story by Mark Twain

Engraving of a pair of Black Spanish chickens. Mark Twain recalls a special case of "raising chickens." (Kean Collection/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

Humor is one of the greatest gifts that mankind has been given. It gives us the ability to bring lighthearted joy into our otherwise serious lives and reminds us of our humanity.

In his short story “To Raise Poultry,“ Mark Twain shows the importance of humor in our lives. By changing the meaning of a simple phrase, ”raising poultry,” Twain brings a merriment that lightens the serious dignity of a position.

After being bestowed a “complimentary membership” by the Western New York Poultry Society, Twain writes the society a letter. He seeks to convey to the society not only his gratitude but also his worthiness of such a position.

He begins by telling how he has been interested in raising poultry since he was a schoolboy. Yet as he elaborates on his passion, we realize that he is really talking about something else. When he says “raising poultry,” Twain really means raising chickens off their roost and stealing them.

How to ‘Raise’ Poultry

He tells how he raises poultry through two main methods. The first method is used during warmer weather. To get the chicken off the roost (whether a coop, tree, or fence), he burns a match under the chicken’s nose until it becomes submissive enough to be placed in a bag.

The second method he employs is for colder months. During this time, he will warm a wooden plank and place it next to the chicken’s feet. The chicken will usually sleepily cluck in thanks to the warm roost and willfully hop on.

After explaining his two main methods, Twain explains his method for chickens that involve special “raising.” The Shanghai rooster, he explains, must be lassoed. If it is not lassoed tightly and choked, it will crow and alert the owner to the situation.

The other special chicken is the Black Spanish. This bird (and its eggs) are so expensive that owners usually keep them in an extremely strong coop in the kitchen. In such a situation, Twain advises taking the whole coop. If you do not succeed, he says, the rest of the kitchen will supply plenty of treasure.

Humor in Language and Life

Twain assures the members of the Western New York Poultry Society that they truly have welcomed an experienced member. He claims that he is just as good as the president of the institution at raising poultry.

By giving a different meaning to a term or phrase, Twain does not encourage us to steal but rather to look at life with a renewed sense of humor.

He brings to light G.K. Chesterton’s words in “Heretics”: “He ought himself to be importing humor into every controversy; for unless a man is in part a humorist, he is only in part a man.”

We must not be bogged down by too much seriousness and ceremony in the things we do. We must embrace humor—not vulgar or rude humor, but the clever, childlike humor that sees the simple fun in everything. This simple and original fun brings joy, light, and humanity back into our measured lives.