Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Why did the chicken cross the road?  “Stop with the jokes,” Hansel clucked. “I have a long history of famous ancestors.” Chickens (and their eggs) are native to India and Southeast Asia. The earliest tame chickens date at least back to 7,000 years ago.  In ancient times chickens were used in religious ceremonies and for fortune telling.  About 2000 years ago the Egyptians learned to hatch chicken eggs by keeping them warm in baskets over hot ashes.  Chickens multiplied like crazy and went from a rare bird to becoming an everyday meal.  From India to the Middle East to Europe and beyond, the fowl has migrated around the world with people.  “So you see how important the chicken is to humans.” Hansel crowed.    I’m glad Hansel is my friend and will never end up as someone’s dinner.  Purrs, Gulliver.