A big Rooster and a dear little Hen form a friendship based on mutual sharing of food found in the garden. The Hen diligently shares everything she finds, while the Rooster, in a moment of greed, tries to keep a grain of corn for himself. This act leads to him choking, prompting the Hen to seek help. In her frantic quest to save the Rooster, the Hen encounters a series of characters, each requiring her to fetch something in return for assistance. She runs from the Well to the Dressmaker, then to the Shoemaker, the Sow, the Brewer, the Cow, and finally the Meadow, each time repeating her urgent plea while gathering the necessary items. The Meadow ultimately sends her to the Sky for dew, which the Sky provides out of pity. With the dew, the Hen is able to fulfill each character's request in sequence, ultimately obtaining water for the Rooster. Once the Rooster drinks the water, he recovers and learns a valuable lesson about sharing. From that day forward, he no longer cheats the Hen and ensures that they share equally, reinforcing the importance of honesty and friendship.
By Parker Fillmore · First published 1935 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fable, Fantasy