The Foolish Chick and the Cunning Rat

The Foolish Chick and the Cunning Rat

BY: Ubaid

A
Once upon a time, in a small farmhouse near the edge of a quiet village, lived a hen named Shabo. She was hardworking and kind-hearted, always busy scratching the ground in search of grains. Shabo had laid many eggs, but unfortunately, every one of them had been taken away for breakfast by the farmer’s family.

This time, however, she managed to save one precious egg. She guarded it with her life, hiding it carefully in a corner of the barn, away from curious eyes. Day after day, she sat patiently on the egg, keeping it warm with her soft feathers.

After twenty-one long days of waiting, the egg began to crack. A tiny beak poked through the shell, followed by a fluffy little chick. Shabo’s heart filled with joy. She clucked lovingly, “My sweet baby, my precious one!” The chick looked up at her with bright, curious eyes and chirped happily.

The days passed quickly. The little chick, though still young, was full of energy and mischief. It would peck at tiny stones, chase butterflies, and flap its tiny wings as if ready to fly. Shabo often warned him, “Be careful, my child. The world is full of danger. Never wander far from me.”

One morning, Shabo needed to go out into the yard to look for food. She turned to her chick and said in a firm but gentle voice, “Listen carefully, my dear. I’m going out to find some grains. Don’t move from this spot until I return. Stay right here.”

The chick nodded obediently, but as soon as his mother left, curiosity got the better of him. He began to explore the little barn, pecking at bits of straw and jumping over small pebbles. While wandering, his eyes caught sight of a small hole in the wall — the entrance to a rat’s burrow.

Inside the burrow lived a rat named Chiku. He was sly, greedy, and always looking for trouble. Just as the chick came closer to inspect the hole, Chiku returned from his night’s adventure. When he saw the soft, yellow chick standing near his burrow, his eyes gleamed with wicked delight.

“Oh my, what a beautiful chick!” Chiku thought to himself. “If only I could have those soft, silky feathers… I’d make the coziest bed in the world!”

He licked his lips and came up with a cunning plan.

“Hello there, little one!” said Chiku sweetly. “You look so lonely. Would you like to be my friend?”

The innocent chick’s eyes sparkled. “Really? You want to be my friend?” he chirped excitedly.

“Of course!” said Chiku, pretending to smile warmly. “I’ll take you around the house. I’ll show you the kitchen where the farmer keeps delicious food — crumbs of bread, bits of cheese, and sweet fruits. You’ll love it there!”

“Wow! That sounds amazing!” chirped the chick. He was thrilled by the offer and forgot everything his mother had warned him about.

Then Chiku said, “But first, why don’t you come inside my home? It’s cozy and safe. We can plan our little adventure there.”

“Sure!” said the chick eagerly. He walked up to the small hole, trying to squeeze himself inside. But he was too big — his neck got stuck halfway through the burrow entrance!

The rat pretended to look worried. “Oh dear, you’re stuck! Don’t worry, my friend. I’ll help you get in.” But instead of helping, the wicked rat started nibbling at the chick’s soft feathers.

“Ouch! That hurts!” cried the chick in pain. “What are you doing? Please stop!”

“Just a little more patience,” said the rat deceitfully. “I’m widening the hole so you can come in.”

The chick began to gasp. “I can’t breathe! Please help me! I’m choking!”

But the rat didn’t stop — he kept biting and plucking the feathers greedily.

Just then, Shabo returned, carrying grains in her beak. When she looked around and didn’t see her chick, her heart sank. She began calling, “My baby! Where are you?”

Then she heard faint cries coming from near the wall. She rushed over and saw her little chick’s neck stuck inside the rat hole. In a flash, she understood what was happening.

With one powerful tug, Shabo pulled her chick out. The sudden force also dragged the rat out of his burrow. The wicked creature tumbled to the floor, startled and exposed.

In a rage, Shabo attacked him. She pecked at him so fiercely that the rat squealed in pain. By the time she was done, his bones ached and his fur was ruffled beyond repair. The rat scurried away, never to return.

Poor little chick looked miserable. His neck was bare — all the soft feathers were gone. He began to cry, ashamed and hurt.

Shabo gently brushed her wings over him and said kindly, “Don’t worry, my child. These are just your baby feathers. Soon, new ones will grow — stronger and brighter. But remember, my dear, I warned you not to leave your place. You must always listen to your mother’s advice.”

The chick sniffled and nodded, “Yes, Mama. I understand now. I’ll never disobey you again.”

From that day on, he stayed close to his mother and never trusted strangers, no matter how sweet their words sounded.


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Moral:

Beware of smooth talkers and false friends. Disobedience can lead to danger, but wisdom comes from listening to those who truly care about you.