The Happy Hen.
Reading edition
Slow circuit of room, mother singing, child now and then uttering happy peeps.
In 2nd circuit mother often pauses, anxiously craning her head about, scanning sky for hawks, “Peeps” and “Craws” at pleasure, in the singing.
O, here comes a Hen With a most happy mind, Her one little chick Close a-walking behind. The morning is warm And the sun is on high, No hawk to be seen In the blue summer sky. Her chicken and she Are out for a walk; “Craw, craw, kr-kr-craw,” And “Peep,” goes the talk. She scans heaven and earth, High a-craning her head; “All’s well!” says the Hen, “My chick shall be fed.”
3d. circuit is interspersed with running steps and darts of the head. Child runs at all “calls” with outstretched arms and chirps.
In the 4th circuit, side by side they sip from hands, uplifting heads at each swallow. Finish circuit, child walking behind mother.
Now quickly she runs, Darting here, darting there, For bugs in the grass Or a fly in the air; She calls to her chick As she scratches the ground, And the chicken’s soft chirp Is the loveliest sound! They sip from the leaves The bright drops of the dew, And lift up their heads Ever thankfully too. Then homeward she goes, And her chick close behind, This dear Mother Hen With a most happy mind.