fables folktales · Ages 9-12

The Hen Who Asked for Help Before the Bread Smelled Good

A hardworking hen refuses to share the finished loaf with friends who ignored every earlier task, then invites them to help with the next one.

The whole story

1. Before the sun cleared the orchard, Hattie Hen pressed her wings into a bowl of flour in the farmhouse kitchen. She wanted to bake one fine loaf, and she had already made a list of everything the loaf would need.

2. The list was longer than the loaf. Hattie needed grain from the mill, water from the well, and kindling from the woodpile, so she asked her friends to help.

3. Hattie asked the dog to carry the sack of grain from the mill. The dog stretched across the warm boards and said, “In a little while.”

4. Next, Hattie asked the cat to draw a bucket of water. The cat examined one shining paw and said, “Perhaps after I finish this.”

5. Then Hattie asked the goat to gather the kindling. The goat looked at the cloudless sky and said, “There is plenty of time before supper.”

6. No one came. Hattie hauled the grain, drew the water, and gathered the wood herself. By afternoon, her apron was dusty and her wings were tired, but the work was finally ready.

7. Hattie mixed the dough, kneaded it, fed the oven, and waited until the crust turned deep gold. At last, the loaf rested on the table, warm enough to scent the whole farm.

8. The smell brought the dog, the cat, and the goat to Hattie’s door. They had ignored every earlier task, but now they asked for slices. Hattie folded her wings and said, “No. I asked for help before the bread smelled good, and you chose not to come. This loaf is mine.”

9. The next morning, Hattie set out the grain, water, and kindling again. She looked at her friends and said, “If you want to share the next loaf, help make it from the beginning.”

10. This time, the dog, the cat, and the goat began before the dough was mixed. The next loaf had not begun to smell good, but no one was waiting for it to be finished.

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