The Hen's Slithering Sons

Hannah Chicken sat outside and watched all the mothers with their babies.

Dalla Duck was playing with her ducklings. Gabby Goose was teaching her goslings to swim. Sara Swallow was showing her baby swallows how to fly.

But Hannah had no chicks of her own.

Watching the mothers with their chicks made Hannah quite sad. She decided to go for a walk in the forest.

Along the path she saw what looked like three white eggs under a bush. They were small and long. Hannah picked them up and gently carried them home.

Day after day, Hannah huddled over the eggs to keep them warm.

The other birds were shocked. “Hannah, those are snake eggs! When they grow up, watch out! You’ll be their first meal.”

Hannah stood her ground. “They are my children now. Don’t you worry about a thing.”