Half-Chick Fairy Tale

One day an unusual chick hatched from a hen's egg. He had only one leg, one wing and one eye, so everyone called him Half-Chick. He grew up proud and would not listen to anyone.

One day Half-Chick announced, "I am going to Madrid to see the king!" and off he hopped down the road. His mother called after him, "If anyone asks for help along the way, help them."

On the road he saw a little stream tangled up in branches. "Half-Chick, please clear these branches away," said the stream. "No time!" said the chick, and he hopped on. Then a fire that was about to go out asked, "Throw me a few twigs." "No time!"

Next he saw the wind caught in a tree. "Set me free," said the wind. "No time!" said Half-Chick, and he reached Madrid. He wandered into the royal kitchen, where the cook grabbed him and dropped him into a pot.

"Water, cool me down!" cried Half-Chick. "You didn't help me," said the water. "Fire, go out!" "You didn't help me," said the fire. Just then the cook lifted the lid, and the chick fluttered out of the window.

But the wind picked him up and carried him to the very top of the church tower. "You didn't help me, so now you can stay here," said the wind. And ever since, Half-Chick has stood on the rooftop, showing which way the wind is blowing.