The Intelligent Hen by Carolyn Wells
In a coastal barnyard, an old hen named Fiddle-de-dee lives a lively life, scratching in the sand. One day, a wise owl visits and criticizes her provincial ways, claiming that intelligent beings do not scratch like hens but write with quills. Offended, Fiddle-de-dee decides to prove her worth. She searches for inspiration and finds a jonquil, which she uses to craft her own writing instrument. This newfound ability transforms her perspective, allowing her to express herself creatively. The story explores themes of self-discovery, the value of intelligence, and the importance of pursuing one's passions. Fiddle-de-dee's journey from a simple barnyard life to becoming a writer illustrates the idea that anyone can achieve greatness, regardless of their origins. The narrative combines whimsy with a moral lesson, encouraging readers to embrace their unique talents and challenge societal expectations. Ultimately, Fiddle-de-dee's transformation serves as a reminder that intelligence and creativity can emerge from the most unexpected places.
By Carolyn Wells · First published 1905 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 294 words
First lines
'Twas long ago, -- a year or so, -- / In a barnyard by the sea, / That an old hen lived whom you may know / By the name of Fiddle-de-dee. / She scratched around in the sand all day, / For a lively old hen was she.
And then do you know, it happened this way / In that barnyard by the sea; / A great wise owl came down one day, / And hooted at Fiddle-de-dee, / Just hooted at Fiddle-de-dee. / And he cried, "Hi! Hi! old hen, I say! / You're provincial, it seems to me!"
What this Textopian page supports
The Intelligent Hen is listed on Textopian as a short story by Carolyn Wells, dated 1905 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Carolyn Wells
- Date: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure, Animal Stories
- Length: 294 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Intelligent Hen by Carolyn Wells
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The book is written in a simple, engaging language suitable for children. The anthropomorphic feature of the hen appeals to the children's imagination and curiosity.
- Fantasy — The book presents an intelligent hen, a characteristic normally not attributed to real-world hens, hence it falls into the fantasy genre.
- Adventure — The protagonist, the Intelligent Hen, often finds herself in adventurous situations and has to use her intelligence to navigate through them.
- Animal Stories — The main characters are animals, particularly intelligent hen, hence placing it in the genre of animal stories.
Tags
mystery · humor · detective · fiction · animal protagonist · whodunit · lighthearted · adventure · quirky · suspense · comedy · novel