The Hen and The Swallow
A kind Hen warms the enemy's eggs in a snake's hole, while a Swallow warns her about the dangers of her kindness.
In an old, deserted snake's hole, a Hen made her home. She was keeping some eggs warm, not her own, but those she had found in the hole.
One day, a Swallow, fluttering in the sky, saw the Hen. She swooped down, perched near, and curiously asked, "Why are you warming the eggs of a fierce foe?"
The Hen replied, "I found them here, alone and cold. No creature deserves to be left alone, not even a foe's child."
The Swallow nodded, spreading her wings and preparing to take flight again. "Just remember, not all creatures think as kindly as you."
With that, she soared into the sky, leaving the Hen to her task.
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Once upon a time, in an old, empty hole where a snake used to live, a Hen found a cozy spot to make her home.
She discovered some eggs there, not her own, but she decided to keep them warm.
One sunny day, a Swallow was flying high in the sky.
She noticed the Hen in the hole and became curious.
She flew down, landed nearby, and asked, "Why are you warming the eggs of a dangerous snake?"
The Hen looked at the Swallow and said, "I found these eggs all alone and cold.
No baby, even a snake's, should be left alone."
The Swallow thought for a moment, then spread her wings to fly again.
She said, "That's very kind of you, but be careful.
Not everyone is as kind as you."
With that, the Swallow flew away into the blue sky, leaving the Hen to take care of the eggs.
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Reflection Questions
- Why do you think the Hen chose to warm the eggs she found, even though they belonged to a foe?
- What do you think the Swallow meant when she said, "Not all creatures think as kindly as you"?
- Can you think of a time when you've helped someone, even though they might not have been nice to you?
- What lesson does this story teach us about kindness and compassion?
- How can we apply the lesson from this story in our own lives to treat others kindly, regardless of who they are?
Fable Quotes
Kindness knows no boundaries, embracing even the offspring of foes with warmth and compassion.
Always remember, kindness may not always be met with kindness.
Accepting others, no matter how different, is a strength not all possess.
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