Medio Pollito, the Half-Chicken

Once upon a time there was a little chick. His name was Medio Pollito. That means half-chicken in Spanish. He was not like the other chicks. He had only one leg. He had only one wing. He had only one eye. He had only one ear. He lived on a farm in Spain. His mother was a big, kind hen.

Medio Pollito was not at all like his brothers and sisters. The others were good and obedient. When their mother clucked, they came running. But Medio Pollito never came. He pretended he could not hear. He had only one ear, after all! He hopped away on his one leg. Hop and kick, hop and kick. He hid in the cornfields. His mother ran about looking for him.

One day Medio Pollito hopped up to his mother. He stretched up on his one leg. He cocked his one eye boldly. 'Mother', he said, 'I am tired of this farm. I do not like the cornfield anymore. I am going to Madrid. I will visit the King himself!' Mother hen was shocked. 'Oh no, little Medio Pollito! It is far too long a journey for a tiny chick.'

But Medio Pollito would not listen. His brothers and sisters begged him to stay. 'Please do not go!' they chirped. But he just shook his few tail feathers. 'Goodbye!' he said proudly. And off he hopped down the road. Hop and kick, hop and kick. 'Be kind to everyone you meet!' called his mother. But Medio Pollito did not even look back.

The road to Madrid was long and hot. Soon Medio Pollito came to a little stream. The stream was full of grass and leaves. The water could barely flow. 'Oh, Medio Pollito!' sighed the stream. 'Please help me clear away the weeds.' But Medio Pollito shook his head. 'Help you? No, thank you!' he said. 'I am in a hurry to see the King in Madrid.' And off he hopped. Hop and kick, hop and kick.

Soon Medio Pollito came to a little wood. Between the trees lay a small fire. It was burning low and almost out. 'Oh, Medio Pollito!' whispered the fire in a weak voice. 'Please put on some dry sticks and leaves. Or else I will go out!' But Medio Pollito shook his head again. 'Help you? No, thank you!' he said. 'Gather sticks yourself. I am off to see the King.' And off he hopped. Hop and kick, hop and kick.