The Hawk
FROM THE BARNYARD FENCE
Had not the old hen been such a watchful mother she would never have been able to care for such a big, fluffy family.
Had not Phyllis been such a wide-awake little girl, she would have never heard and seen all that I am about to tell you.
Mother Speckle was scratching patiently in the barnyard. Now and again she gave a loud call and her ten little ones ran wildly for the bug or worm which their mother had found for them.
Phyllis was just coming into the barnyard with a cup of meal for Mother Speckle's family, when a strange cry from the old hen startled her.
Phyllis looked and saw every chick running as fast as its little legs could carry it to the hovering mother wings. Soon every chicken baby was hidden from sight and the chicken mother was clucking less loudly.
"What can be the matter?" cried Phyllis, and then looking up she saw a hawk circling in the air above.
She snatched off her hat and waved it wildly at the hawk. At the same time she shouted as fiercely as she could.
The hawk soared calmly in the air, rising ever higher and higher. The mother hen, calling softly to her babies, led the little ones to the protecting shelter of some low bushes. Then Phyllis sprinkled the meal and soon the chicken hawk was quite forgotten by Mother Speckle and her brood.