Yellow fluffy Chick hatched from an egg in the nest of an old broody hen named Ryaba. With joy, the broody hen clucked loudly throughout the barn: "Cluck-cluck! I am so happy! How many little ones I have now! Come closer, sisters and neighbours, look at my chicks, congratulate me!".
Oh my! I also had ducklings born recently, ― quacked the grey duck. ― I did not boast like that and did not shout throughout the poultry house.
Be quiet there. You will frighten my goslings. They are only planning to come out of their eggs tomorrow, ― hissed the white goose, turning over her speckled grey eggs with her beak.
I will come over and peck you, old hen, ― said the disgruntled turkey. ― My little ones are so timid and delicate, they are afraid of every sound. They might die from fright.
I have more little ones than anyone! ― Ryaba continued to boast. ― Soon our mistress will come and feed us delicious food!
The hen gathered her chicks and led them outside to show them the bright sun, blue sky and warm earth. Scratching in the soil and finding an earthworm was her favourite activity.
Not far away, the grown turkey chicks with their mother and stern father were nibbling green grass. The turkey parents watched their offspring carefully and chatted with each other.
Cluck-cluck! Everyone here, little chicks! ― clucked the hen. ― I found an earthworm for you!
The chicks began to scratch in the soil with their mother. At that moment, the duck came out of the barn with her ducklings and headed towards the pond nearby. The ducklings waddled after the grey Duck in single file, swaying from foot to foot. Little Chick tagged along with the duck family. She walked last. Ryaba was so busy with the worm that she did not notice her missing.
The ducklings entered the pond and slowly swam after their mother. Chick walked behind them deeper and deeper, but she could not manage to swim.
The Duck turned around and saw that the little chick had gone into the water… was about to drown!
Quack-quack! Help! A chick in the water! ― she quacked loudly and rushed to help the little one. She grabbed Chick by the wing with her beak and threw her onto her back.
Hold on tight! I will take you to the shore!
The duck swam whilst Chick sat and looked around.
How beautiful it is on the pond! And I am like a queen on a ship! ― the little rascal rejoiced.
Meanwhile, Ryaba finally noticed that one of her chicks was missing.
Where is my chick, my little yellow bundle? Where has she gone? Has anyone seen my Chick? ― the hen began to cluck loudly.
The turkey family responded to her cry.
You are careless, careless Mother Ryaba, you did not look after your chick!
A little puppy sitting in a kennel on a chain heard the birds making a fuss and barked loudly: "Woof-woof! Woof-woof!". Such a commotion arose that the mistress came out of the house. She looks: hen Ryaba is running about and clucking loudly.
What has happened? ― the woman thought. And suddenly she saw: an old Duck was walking, and behind her toddled a little yellow chick. The Duck was leading him to the poultry yard, whilst the ducklings were swimming in the pond by themselves.
What a good girl you are, bringing the chick home. He must have tagged along with your family, and the hen did not notice. The little one wanted to have a swim, ― the mistress smiled.
Ryaba ran up to the grey Duck and began to thank her neighbour: "Thank you for finding my Chick! Now I will watch my little ones more carefully!".
We are all mothers and must help one another, ― replied the Duck.
