The Black Snake and the Eggs

The hen had laid twelve eggs and now there were only eleven left. She went all over the coop looking for it but there was no sign of the egg. She went back and counted them. One, two,…eleven!
She was very upset. She ran out clucking to search for that rooster who did nothing except crow in the yard! She did not know that the thief was watching and waiting.
In the shadows, a black snake sat curled waiting till the hen went out. As soon as she left, he slithered out and swallowed another egg. Deep in his throat he crushed it and was very happy. She had not yet returned, so he could have another, and then another.
By then he heard the hen returning. She was arguing with the rooster.
“What do you mean?” said the hen, “I know how to count! There were twelve eggs! I laid them, so I know!”

The rooster was trying to please her as he replied, “Let us count them again. Perhaps they are still there.”
They counted the eggs and the hen shrieked, “Oh, heavens! There are only nine left! The thief must have eaten them when I came to call you! Oh, my eggs!”
She wept and she clucked but they couldn’t find out who was stealing the eggs.
The next few days were equally terrible. More eggs vanished and one day the rooster found the hen weeping bitterly with just two eggs left in her nest.
“I may be wrong, my dear,” said the rooster, “But perhaps the black snake is the thief who is stealing your eggs. He is clever and sly and must be watching to see when you leave them.”
The hen trembled with fear as she had heard how the black snake swallowed eggs and crushed them in his throat mercilessly.

The next day when she went out to look for some food, she returned to find only one egg left. “Isn’t there any way to stop him?” she wondered aloud. “I have a plan that may work,” said the rooster. And he whispered it in her ear.
The next morning when the hen was out, the black snake came in and swallowed the last egg. But then, he found he could not crush it. It was stuck in his throat. He struggled and thrashed about, but couldn’t get it out or break it. It was an egg-shaped marble that the black snake had swallowed. Finally, he choked on it and died. The last egg was safe now!

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