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 The pullet surprise
It walks like a duck,and it talks like a duck,but is it?

The barnyard was quiet as the rain poured down,”It’s raining,so don’t go out,”clucked the hen to her chicks.”And stay nearby.
The henhouse is crowded today.Everyone’s pushing and shoving,””Yes,mother,”peeped all the little chicks.All but one,that is.”Aw,Mom,”she complained.”I’m tired of being cooped up,Can’t I go outside?”
“Dear,no,”said Mother,”You might catch a cold.If you got sick and didn’t pull through,I would never forgive myself.We mustn’t push our luck.Now,not another peep.”
“Mother worries too much,”the chick said.”I never get to do anything .I’m tired of being pushed around.”The little pullet pushed through the crowded henhouse over and looked outside.
“It’s not raining much,”she thought.”And look at those funny-looking chickens.They get to play outside.Those lucky ducks!Oops!”The chick fell out into the barnyard.”Oh, boy!”she shouted.And she went over to play with the funny-looking chicks.’Quack,quack,”they welcomed.”Peep,peep,”the chick replied,”My,these chicks talk funny,”she thought.And they went off splashing through the rain together.”
I really should go back inside,”she thought.”Mother will be worried.But I’m having such a good time.I just can’t pull myself away.”
“Come along,little ones,”the funny-looking mother called.The youngsters waddled in a row behind their mother.”My,these chicks walk funny,”she thought,”and fast too.I’ll have to push myself to keep up.But I’m tired.And I’m wet.And I’m catching a-a-ahh-choo…a cold.”


Words
cooped up(adj)
I’ve been cooped up in the house all day because I don’t want to go outside in the rain.
quack(n) (鸭子)呷呷叫声 Did you hear that quack?I think there is a duck over there.
waddle(v)
蹒跚而行
The baby waddled for a few short steps and then fell down.