Hen Story: The Cowardly Hen
The hen was the most timid chicken in the chicken farm. You could often hear her fearful clucking.
“It’s just a little mouse! Why is she so scared?” said a black hen. Look! The hen was screaming in fright because of a mouse and had even jumped onto the highest haystack in the farm. This wasn’t just any haystack. Every year, only the loudest and most majestic rooster at the crowing contest could stand on it.
However, the hen had jumped onto it, and everyone was very upset. “Is this a place she should be?” said a hoarse-voiced rooster who dreamed of standing on that haystack and crowing. “I guess she’s just trying to get everyone’s attention!” said a jealous yellow hen.
Because the hen was so timid, all the chickens in the farm looked down on her.
At feeding time, all the other chickens would eat until they were full before the timid hen could get any food. When it was time to sleep, she was always pushed to the spot closest to the door.
Recently, even the ducks from the neighboring duck farm started bullying her. Sometimes, when the timid hen found a worm, the ducks would chase her away, but their flat beaks would often let the worm slip away. Despite being treated this way, the timid hen still felt quite happy and always maintained her manners. For example, she would never argue with the ducks over a small worm.
One night, as the timid hen was looking at the stars through the fence, a fox sneaked into the farm. Just as the hen was about to scream, the fox grabbed her by the neck, tied her up, and stuffed a white cloth into her mouth. The fox had long heard about how cowardly she was and didn’t think she was worth eating.
When the other chickens saw the fox, they were all terrified! The fox said, “Whoever makes a sound will be the first one I eat!” So, no one dared to make a noise. The fox made all the chickens line up, one by one, waiting to be tied up.
At that moment, the timid hen pushed her head through a gap in the fence, catching the white cloth on a thorn. With a strong pull, she yanked the cloth out of her mouth, then quickly pecked at the rope around her body with her sharp beak. She started running and clucking loudly, “Cluck, cluck, cluck…”
In the dead of night, the hen’s clucking sounded particularly loud. The watchdog, Blackie, came running at full speed. The fox was so frightened that it dropped the chicken it was holding and fled with its tail between its legs. All the chickens were saved.
Now, all the chickens in the farm say that the timid hen is the best and bravest chicken of all!
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
