Clucky the Hen Read online

  To my little Sira, who knows nothing of faults, only affection.

  M. Pavon

  To my mother, because even though I’m all grown up now, I still love to snuggle up under her feathers.

  M. Carretero

  Clucky the Hen

  Text © 2010 Mar Pavon

  Illustrations © 2010 Monica Carretero

  This edition © 2011 Cuento de Luz SL

  Calle Claveles 10 | Urb Monteclaro | Pozuelo de Alarcón | 28223 Madrid | Spain | www.cuentodeluz.com English translation by Jon Brokenbrow

  Clucky Series

  ISBN: 978-84-152410-8-9

  DL: M-11309-2011

  Printed by Graficas Aga SL in Madrid, Spain, March 2011, print number 67694

  All rights reserved

  Clucky the hen

  Laid her eggs the wrong way round

  And out came the chicks

  Tumbling to the ground

  One said, “I see stars!”

  Another had a bump

  “I’ve fallen from my egg,

  And now I’ve got a great big lump!”

  And as he spoke the smallest chick

  Landed with a thump.

  Clucky the hen

  Called each one by their name.

  “I’m sorry I’m so clumsy,

  But I love you just the same.

  And cuddled here beneath my wing,

  You’ll be safe from everything.”

  A rumor soon began to spread

  From one beak to another:

  Clucky the hen is a terrible mother!

  Clucky the hen

  Was singing without a care

  When suddenly, with no warning

  The sound of thunder filled the air!

  “Mommy, stop!” the poor chicks begged,

  And they were right to fret,

  “Please don’t sing that any more,

  We’re all soaking wet!”

  Clucky the hen

  Called each one by their name.

  “I’m sorry I’m so unlucky,

  But I love you just the same.

  And cuddled here beneath my wing,

  You’ll be safe from everything.”

  And all over the town,

  the rumor spread from

  one mouth to another:

  Clucky and her chicks

  Were playing hide and seek

  But she forgot about the game,

  And was juggling with her beak!

  The chicks were in their hiding place

  So very, very long

  That soon they were all fast asleep

  The game had gone all wrong!

  It’s just as well that Clucky

  Remembered what she’d done

  Her chicks were still in hiding

  And she found them, every one.

  The little chicks were now awake

  Their eyes were full of tears.

  They really told their mommy off:

  “You’ve been gone for years!”

  Clucky the hen

  Called each one by their name.

  “I’m sorry I’m so forgetful,

  But I love you just the same.

  And cuddled here beneath my wing,

  You’ll be safe from everything.”

  Meanwhile, the rumor spread

  from one country to another:

  After all her mishaps,

  and full of dismay

  Feeling such a failure,

  she decided what to say

  “My darlings, I’m so sorry

  but I must give you all away

  I’m sure that any silly bird

  could do better, any day.

  The little chicks were startled,

  And just about to cry,

  Then bravely they looked up and shouted

  “Don’t you even try!

  We love you just the way you are,

  Calamity’s your thing

  But only you know how

  To keep us safe beneath your wing

  Mommy, never leave us,

  Be yourself, don’t change, don’t dare

  For we will always love you,

  Whatever happens, we still care.”

  Mother hen was thrilled,

  She was cluckless with emotion,

  She smothered them in loving pecks,

  They caused quite a commotion!

  Meanwhile the rumor spread from one planet to another:

  And then of course

  the moon and stars,

  The planets in the sky

  Ignored the rumor, as they knew…

  The whole thing was a lie!

  The rumor ended suddenly,

  I’m very pleased to say,

  A black hole promptly sucked it up

  And took it clean away.

 

 

  Mar Pavon, Clucky the Hen

  Thanks for reading the books on GrayCity.Net