An elderly couple longs for a child, and their wish is granted when a hen hatches a chick. The grandmother dotes on the chick, naming it Kuratko, while the grandfather expresses concern about its peculiar appearance. As Kuratko grows, he develops an insatiable appetite, demanding food incessantly. The grandmother indulges him, leading to their own hunger. One day, Kuratko, feeling hungry, devours the grandfather and grandmother, swallowing them whole. He continues his rampage, consuming a washerwoman and a group of soldiers, boasting about his growing crop. Each victim is taken by surprise and quickly eaten. Kuratko encounters Kotsor, a cat, who is also astonished by the chick's size. However, when Kuratko threatens to eat Kotsor, the cat fights back from within Kuratko's crop, ultimately causing the chick's demise. The victims, including the grandfather, grandmother, washerwoman, and soldiers, emerge unharmed and return to their lives. Kotsor, the cat, requests Kuratko for dinner, and both grandparents agree, acknowledging the chick's ungratefulness. Kotsor enjoys a satisfying meal, relishing the experience. The story concludes with a moral about ingratitude and the consequences of excess.
By Parker Fillmore · First published 1930 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fable, Fantasy