What I can see is dwarfed by what I cannot see. 

Every morning I let out five pens of chickens. The sixth is designed by John and needs no unlocking because the upstairs and downstairs are equally secure. But the others have two tiers of defense, one for the day and a tighter one for nightfall. 

The coop with a buff mama named Toffee and her three chicks has a dog house within a netted enclosure, and she starts clucking when she hears me coming. Her instructions are in Henese, but I assume she is reminding her babies to follow her to the food dish, wipe their feet, and don't gulp. Which they do, And don't. I like to linger for a bit and enjoy their presence. The chicks dive in to the grain, while Toffee pecks, then watches for danger. She swallows a little more, then cocks her head and listens acutely to the orchestra of five a.m. The chicks are oblivious to foxes or hawks, because their protector has that covered. They see the food in front of them, while Toffee sees that and more. 

The other day I risked letting Toffee and her flock out of the pen midday. It was a toasty afternoon and it seemed likely that the foxes were staying in their shady dens out of the heat. When I came to check on Toffee later she was, well growling. Frozen in a defensive position, she looked like a stuffed animal and not a breathing one. I immediately assumed her chicks were dead and she was in shock. Picking her up, she stayed frozen in position. I apologized for neglecting her, and slipped her behind the fence. I called to her chicks, but none appeared out of the bushes. They were lost. My heart sank. 

After a few minutes, Toffee clucked sternly and three fluffy birds came scooting out of the leaves. Opening the door for them they flitted straight to mama. They were safe after all. 

Probably something perilous had come by and she knew precisely how to avert disaster. I inquired about what happened but her beak was sealed. 

The chicks are astonishingly obedient. That character trait has fallen out of favor in my lifetime. It used to be seen as a positive quality, but has more recently been surpassed by attributes like self actualized, and free spirited.

Yet I marvel at the instinct of a five pound hen and her capacity to protect her young. It seems possible that the One protecting me has a wider circle of vision than I can comprehend.