The Little Red Hen, One Week Later
Posted: Saturday, July 10, 2010
by Randy Vaughan
The week had passed with predictable routine except, quite understandably, the growing tension betw
So the sun rose slowly, and most majestically, on the morning of the sixth day. Cat and Dog were lying in the hay inside the barn, discussing their respective adventures, each doing his best to one-up the other for being the bravest and most important animal on the farm. This was their favorite pastime while not actually busy tending to their natural chores. Suddenly the early morning silence was shattered by the loudest clucking they'd ever heard come from the Little Red Hen. Their eyes met briefly and each chuckled. "Well," said Dog, "it won't be long now, will it?"
And at that moment the Little Red Hen burst into the barn and feathers were flying all over the place. "That's it!" shouted Little Red Hen. "I've had it with all of you!" She waited but neither Dog nor Cat said anything. "You know what I mean! Today is Saturday and y'all know good and well that the Farmer's nephew-that horrible little brat-y'all know he comes over here every Saturday and Duck has always kept him out of the barnyard."
Cat and Dog nodded. "That's right, Ms. Hen," said Cat. "He does indeed."
"So what's wrong?" asked Dog. Only the Cat knew what a difficult time Dog was having trying not to burst into laughter.
"Well Duck is nowhere to be found and that pesky little heathen has been chasing me all over the place, that's what!"
"I see-"
"No, you don't!" blurted he Little Red Hen. Cat winced because he knew that Dog did not appreciate being interrupted, no, not one little bit. But so far everything was going just as they, with the help of Duck, had planned, and as each had predicted.
"You don't see at all, Dog!" she screamed. "Why, in fact you've become even worst than that stupid Duck."
Dog tilted his head to one side but said nothing.
"Don't give me that stupid poor puppy' look, Dog! It might work on humans but I know you. You know good and well you've let all kinds of critters roam around here at night. I've seen foxes and raccoons and even a skunk!" It's your job to protect us. You know that!"
"Of course he knows that, Hen," said Cat, but-"
"Don't you but' me, Cat," she screamed. "Why, you're the worst of the lot! You're supposed to keep the mice and the rats away and you've gotten so lazy this week that all that bread I had set aside, why, it's all gone because you let a bunch of mice in here and they ate every bit of it!"
The annoying quacking and flapping wings caught their attention. It was, of course, Duck coming into the barn. "Now if you'll shut up for a minute, Ms. Hen, my friends and I will be glad to explain."
Hen huffed, shook her feathers and turned away.
"Hen," said Duck, "last week you asked all of us to help you with the wheat. Do you remember that?"
"Of course I do, Duck. And-"
"And," he said, quickly and angrily interrupting, "and you got all pissed off because we refused, didn't you?" Hen got ready to speak but Cat threw a paw up in front of her face and she immediately backed down.
"And so you did all the work by yourself. We know that. And because of that, you felt fully justified in keeping all that bread for yourself and your chicks. You said we were...." He stopped at looked at Dog. "What was the word she used, Dog?"
"Lazy," said Dog, shaking his head slowly.
"Yes," said Cat. "Lazy."
"Yes," said Duck. "You said we were all lazy."
"Well you were. You are!" shouted Hen.
"No, Hen," said Cat. "We've been lazy this week. Didn't mice eat all your bread?" He didn't wait for her to answer. "Do I ever ask you to help me keep the mice away?"
And before she could say anything, Dog said, "And weren't you scared when the foxes and skunks were running around all over the place? But have I ever asked you to help me keep them away?"
"And," said Duck quickly, "wasn't it fun, running around like crazy just trying to stay away from that stupid kid? But I've never asked you to help me protect the barnyard, now have I?"
It was clear Little Red Hen really was thinking it over but suddenly the heavy footsteps of the Farmer surprised them all. Dog, Cat, and Duck saw the axe, looked at each other, and slowly shook their heads. Hen saw the axe and ran like hell.
"Now, now, little hen," said the Farmer. "You know I'll catch you here in just a bit. You've gotten too old to be of much use around here. I need the dog and cat to keep critters out of my barn and ol' duck's just about the best at protecting the barnyard. But you." Well, the old Farmer's voice trailed off as he slowly moved in on Little Red Hen who had stupidly backed herself into a corner.
"Dumb cluck," said Dog. "She didn't appreciate what our purpose in life really is and was too stupid to see what hers was."
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)What a delightful story! Thanks Randy.Hi, Joyce. Thanks very much. Sorry I took so long to get back. Decided that after three years it was time I really "work" at trying to draw attention to my little book. Who knew that setting up blogs and websites and linking stuff and everything else was so time consuming?That stuff really does take time, doesn't it? Especially for techno idiots like me. :) Good luck with your book.Thanks very much.
What a metaphorical delight! I can't wait to read more- Always- EllaThanks, Ella. I think I'll pick on "The Emporer's New Clothes" next. Whaddya think?
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