The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly

Straggler brings Sprout a fish every day. When the moon is bright, he performatively flaps his wings, quacks, and runs around. Sprout talks to the egg or sings it lullabies.

Sprout asks why Straggler dances every night. She also asks where the white duck is and what happened to Straggler’s right wing; Straggler becomes angry and tells Sprout not to talk about it. He warns Sprout that the weasel gets hungry when the moon wanes. Sprout works out that Straggler’s demonstrations at night are because of the weasel. She wonders why he would risk his life for her.

Straggler tells Sprout that she’s a wonderful mother. Sprout plans to tell Straggler that it isn’t actually her egg but then doesn’t. They discuss the fact that the egg will hatch soon.

Straggler seems to go to sleep, rather than dancing as usual, with his head under his wing and whispering to himself. In the middle of the night, Sprout is startled by Straggler screaming. The weasel breaks his neck and takes him into the night, giving Sprout a terrifying, cold stare before going.

The egg hatches in the morning. Sprout is delighted and amazed, embracing the tiny creature, whom she calls Baby: “Baby, you’re here!” (59).