III.
Preparation.
The story tells us of the trouble the hen and the other animals had in crossing a river. Have children suggest ways of crossing the river.
Narration.
CROSSING THE RIVER.
The six little mice went on with the wagon. The hen and her friends walked behind. They passed through a forest and across a meadow, and finally came to a river. There was no bridge over this river; but as the procession came to the river bank a straw, which lay there, wanted to be helpful and said, “I will be your bridge.” Then he laid himself across the water.
The little mice tried first to cross. They stepped upon the straw bridge and snap! it broke. All the mice fell into the water and were drowned. A coal then happened to come along. He said, “I am big enough; I will lay myself over the water.” He had hardly touched the water when he sank to the bottom.
The poor hen was very much frightened and did not know what to do. Just then a long stone, that lay near and had seen all that had happened, laid himself over the river. The hen took the wagon herself and drew it over safe to the other side.
All the animals tried to go over, but there were so many of them that the stone broke and they fell into the river and were drowned. Then the hen was alone again. She dug a grave, laid the cock in it, and made a little mound over it. When she had done this, the hen sat upon the grave and grieved over the death of the cock till she, too, died.
Suggestions.