Chick-a-pick lived in a round white house with shining walls. All
about him was white soft food; he floated at the end of a ball of
yellow food. He himself was only a speck. Have you found out yet that
his house was an egg?
He grew bigger, for Hen-Mother sat over him day and night, cuddling him
under her warm breast. Every day she turned his egg-house over so that
he should grow evenly. Each time she did that he floated from the
bottom of the egg-house to the top, to be near the warm Hen-Mother.
This kept him moving, and made him grow strong. As he grew he used up
the white food and the yellow food, till by-and-by there was no food
left in the house, but only Chick-a-pick. Have you found out yet that
Chick-a-pick was a chicken?
One day he wished to come out. He tapped on the inside wall. "Peck
hard," called his mother. "I will help you from the outside."
Chick-a-pick pecked hard with his little new beak. Hen-Mother pecked
softly with her big strong beak, and presently a hole was made. Out
popped Chick-a-pick's head. "Cheep!" he said.
"Well done, little son," said his mother. "Now push with your
shoulders and break the shell."
He pushed and pushed with his little new shoulders, till crack! went
the shell in halves. Out he stepped. Have you found out yet that
Chick-a-pick was strong?
"You are the first. Cuddle under my wings till your brothers and
sisters come out," said the Hen-Mother.
"Cheep! cheep! cheep!" went the brothers and sisters one after the
other. Chick-a-pick listened and watched from his snug corner.
"Now we are all here," said the Hen-Mother at last. "Cluck! cluck!
cluck! What a fine brood you are! Yellow and black and white, and all
covered with the softest, prettiest down I ever saw. How dainty your
toes are! How bright are your eyes!"
She led them out for a little walk. "Cluck! cluck! cluck!" she said.
"See--here is soft food spread for you. Cluck! cluck! You may have it
all. I shall not eat till you are satisfied. I could not bear my
chickens to go hungry. Cluck! cluck! Eat plenty. Eat plenty."
Have you found out yet how kind Hen-Mother was?