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.
Audio available for B1 version
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.
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.
Once upon a sunny day, in a snake hole that was yesterday's news, a plucky Hen found a comfy nook. Under her were some surprise eggs. They weren't from her last Easter hunt, but she thought, "Why let them get cold?"
As she settled in, dreaming about what might hatch, a Swallow, doing her aerial acrobatics, spotted the scene below. Intrigued, she swooped down, landing with flair. "Hey there, feathered friend! You do know you're babysitting a snake's potential kiddos, right?" she asked, with a teasing glint in her eye.
The Hen, without missing a beat, said, "Well, when I got here, these little ones were like lonely marshmallows waiting for a campfire. Everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves a bit of warmth and love. Even if they might grow up to do the snakey slide."
The Swallow laughed heartily, her laughter echoing around them. "You sure have a big heart, Ms. Hen. But always remember, not all critters see the world with your kind of rose-colored glasses."
Shaking her tail feathers in mock seriousness, the Swallow added, "You might want to keep an ear out for any hissing concerts!"
With that, she performed a graceful loop in the sky, sending a playful wink down at the Hen, who was now humming a lullaby for her unexpected brood.
Once, a Hen found a cozy nook,
Where eggs lay, with a deserted look.
Not hers, but she didn't care,
She sat and warmed them with a motherly air.
High above, a Swallow did glide,
Spotting the Hen, she took a swift dive.
"Why sit on the eggs of a foe so sly?"
She chirped, as the clouds rolled by.
The Hen clucked softly, without any pride,
Her voice so mild, her heart open wide.
"No creature should be left behind, as if exiled,
Even those of a foe, or its very child."
The Swallow stretched her wings to depart,
Yet, her words were sincere, straight from the heart:
"Just remember, dear Hen, with your heart so true,
Not everyone thinks as kindly as you."
The Swallow prepared, her farewell due,
Wings spread wide, against the sky so blue.
With a gust, upwards she drew,
Leaving the Hen, and the world she knew.
Word Finder
Plucky
Brave and determined in a challenging situation.Comfy
Comfortable and cozy, making you feel relaxed.Intrigued
Very interested or curious about something.Swooped
Quickly flew downwards, usually to grab something.Flair
A stylish or fancy way of doing something.Teasing
Playfully making fun of someone without being mean.Brood
A group of baby animals, especially birds.Echoing
A sound that repeats after bouncing off surfaces.Mock
Pretend or not serious, often used for fun.Graceful
Moving smoothly and beautifully without effort.
Cozy
Comfortable and warm, making you feel relaxed.Nook
A small, quiet corner or place to hide.Deserted
Empty or abandoned, with no one around.Foe
An enemy or someone who is against you.Glide
To move smoothly and quietly through the air.Swift
Quick or fast, happening in a short time.Exiled
Sent away or forced to leave your home.Sincere
Honest and truthful, showing real feelings.Depart
To leave or go away from a place.Farewell
A way to say goodbye when leaving for a while.
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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