The Little Red Hen

The Little Red Hen Finds Some Seeds

One sunny day, the Little Red Hen found some seeds in the dirt.

"These are wheat seeds," she said. "If I plant them, they will grow. Then I can make warm bread! Who will help me plant the seeds?"

"Not I," said the lazy Cat. "Not I," said the sleepy Dog. "Not I," said the noisy Duck.

"Then I will do it myself," said the Little Red Hen. And she did.

Hard Work, Step by Step

The seeds grew tall and golden. It was time to cut the wheat.

"Who will help me cut the wheat?" asked the Hen.

"Not I," said the Cat. "Not I," said the Dog. "Not I," said the Duck.

"Then I will do it myself," said the Little Red Hen. And she did.

She took the wheat to the mill to make flour. "Who will help me?" she asked.

"Not I! Not I! Not I!" said her three friends.

"Then I will do it myself," said the Little Red Hen. And she did.

The Warm, Yummy Bread

At last the Hen made the dough and baked it. Soon a yummy smell filled the air. Mmmm!

The Cat woke up. The Dog opened one eye. The Duck came running.

"Who will help me eat the warm bread?" asked the Little Red Hen.

"I will!" said the Cat. "I will!" said the Dog. "I will!" said the Duck.

"Oh no," said the Little Red Hen. "You did not help me plant. You did not help me cut. You did not help me bake. So I will eat the bread myself, with my little chicks."

And that is just what she did. Yum!

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The moral: If you want to share the bread, you must share the work.

More short tales to read together: try The Lion and the Mouse.