The Clucking Hen

"Will you take a walk with me,

My little wife, to-day?

There's barley in the barley field,

And hayseed in the hay."

"Thank you;" said the clucking hen;

"I've something else to do;

I'm busy sitting on my eggs,

I cannot walk with you."

"Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck,"

Said the clucking hen;

"My little chicks will soon be hatched,

I'll think about it then."

The clucking hen sat on her nest,

She made it in the hay;

And warm and snug beneath her breast,

A dozen white eggs lay.

Crack, crack, went all the eggs,

Out dropped the chickens small!

"Cluck," said the clucking hen,

"Now I have you all."

"Come along, my little chicks,

I'll take a walk with you."

"Hallo!" said the barn-door cock,

"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"

— Aunt Effie's Rhymes