Old Owl Speaks

Just then a deep, calm voice came from an oak branch above them.

"Wait, little ones."

It was Old Owl, who watched the wood every day.

"Chicken-licken," said Old Owl, "what fell on your head?"

"The sky!" said Chicken-licken at once. "A bit of the sky fell on me! We are going to tell the king!"

Old Owl blinked slowly. "You were very frightened. Stay on the open road — not through the dark wood. Keep together, and let the king hear your story."

Chicken-licken, Hen-len, Cock-lock, Duck-luck, Drake-lake, Goose-loose, Gander-lander, and Turkey-lurkey felt safer — and still in a hurry to tell the king.