One day Mr. Leghorn, the rooster, and Mrs. Leghorn, the hen, were out walking. They came to a wide, deep brook. Mrs. Leghorn, who was light and quick, flew safely across; but Mr. Leghorn, who was heavy and slow, fell, splash! into the water.
Mrs. Leghorn was sure Mr. Leghorn was drowned. So, without turning to see, she flew screaming and cackling toward the farmyard.
“What does ail you, Mrs. Leghorn? Why are you screaming and cackling so loudly?” asked the Wind-Mill as Mrs. Leghorn flew past.
“Mr. Leghorn has fallen into the brook and is drowned. That’s why I am screaming and cackling so loudly,” replied Mrs. Leghorn.
“What a pity! I’ll swing my arms and creak. That’s the best I can do for poor Mr. Leghorn.” And the Wind-Mill fell to swinging his arms and creaking with all his might.
When the Big Barn Door heard the Wind-Mill creaking and saw him swinging his long arms, he called out, “What ails you, Wind-Mill? Why do you swing your arms and creak so?”
“Why, Mr. Leghorn has fallen into the brook and is drowned, and Mrs. Leghorn is screaming and cackling. That’s why I swing my arms and creak,” answered the Wind-Mill.