My name is Donald (Scott) Maness. I’m 64 years old and grew up in a very small town in northern NY, where everyone knew everyone. My first four school years were in a 4-room schoolhouse. Then came the culture shock of riding a school bus to a nearby, somewhat larger small town, where I continued my primary education. I used to enjoy hiking, camping, bicycle riding, photography, etc. I am now mostly confined to a wheelchair. My physical abilities began gradually diminishing when I was 16, to the point where I had to retire around 41 years old. My main hobby these days is writing rhyming poetry and song lyrics. In 2020, I joined an online group created by musician, singer, songwriter Ben Diamond called “21songsin2021.” “The Brave Chicken” was born as a result of the prompt “Oxymoron.” Many people told me it could or should become an illustrated children’s book, so here I am as the author of my first children’s book. I hope that all of the children who read, or have it read to them, enjoy the journey of the Brave Chicken and his flock. I may have more children’s books to follow. Who knows?