It gets colder in December, and whenever it’s cold, I feel like sneezing. I knew one would escape from me eventually.

By the last week of December, my family had finished harvesting napa cabbage. The garden now had more space for my two chickens—Haru and Iroha. I got them when I was six and have been caring for them for two years already.

“The forecast says there will be snow tonight,” I told them, “so I’ll clean your coop and make it warm. Run along now and get some exercise in the garden while I work.”

Caring for chickens was hard work, but they gave me eggs. Lots of eggs.

While changing their bedding, I discovered more eggs than the day before. “Mom, look!” I shouted as I ran to show her. “Haru and Iroha laid extra.”

“Let’s add them to the Christmas cake,” Mom said. “The more eggs, the better.”

I sneezed, and what a good feeling it was. Mom said I have the cutest sneeze and kissed me on the forehead. Then she reminded me to finish my work quickly so I could come inside.

After an hour, the coop was ready—the straw fresh and the lamp warm. I gave the hens sunflower seeds so they could grow strong. I also made sure their home was well covered with a plastic sheet to block the wind.

“Thanks again for the eggs,” I said. “Once the cake’s done, I’ll bring you the two biggest pieces.”