The Little Red Hen

The Little Red Hen by Florence White Williams is a retelling of a classic folktale about the importance of hard work and the consequences of laziness. Here's a summary of the story:

Characters:

• The Little Red Hen: A hardworking and resourceful hen.
• The Other Animals: A lazy rooster, a grumpy cat, and a sleepy dog.

Plot:

1. The Little Red Hen finds a single grain of wheat and asks the other animals for help in planting, harvesting, and grinding it into flour.
2. Each animal makes an excuse to avoid work: the rooster claims a headache, the cat has a sore paw, and the dog is too tired.
3. The Little Red Hen decides to do all the work herself. She plants the wheat, harvests it, grinds it into flour, and begins to bake bread.
4. When the delicious smell of bread fills the air, the other animals suddenly appear, eager to share in the reward.
5. The Little Red Hen asks them who helped her with the work. Ashamed, they all remain silent.
6. The Little Red Hen declares, "Then I shall eat the bread all by myself!"
7. The other animals beg for a taste, but the Little Red Hen refuses to share with those who didn't contribute.

Themes:

• Hard Work vs. Laziness: The story emphasizes the value of hard work and the consequences of laziness.
• Sharing and Fairness: The Little Red Hen's refusal to share highlights the importance of fairness and contributing to the effort.
• Taking Responsibility: The story encourages taking responsibility for one's actions and not expecting rewards without work.

Variations:

There are many variations of The Little Red Hen folktale across different cultures. Some versions might have different animals or a slightly different ending, but the core message of hard work and fairness remains consistent.

Overall, The Little Red Hen is a simple but timeless story that teaches valuable lessons about work ethic, responsibility, and the importance of contributing to a shared goal.