Free The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-mi Hwang Page B

about the situation—she knew it was hard for him to accept that they were not the same kind. But Sprout wanted to help him get rid of the cord tied to his foot. It trailed him wherever he went, and he looked downcast, as though it was sorrow that trailed him. Greentop didn’t want Sprout near him, but Sprout made her bed where she could see him. Although the weasel lurked now and then, Greentop had excellent hearing, as did Sprout, so they always knew when he was near.
    Autumn passed slowly. In the reed fields Sprout began to spot dragonflies who had laid eggs on the water plants in what would be their final flight. After they landed, their wings stiffened, and their many eyes gazed up at the blue sky. Their eyes still moved, but they didn’t harbor fear when Sprout approached to eat them. She didn’t particularly enjoy eating these large-eyed, slender dragonflies, so she helped herself only when famished. The sun began to set earlier, causing the ducks to return from the reservoir sooner, leaving only the sound of the wind and the dry rustling of grass to echo in the reed fields. Greentop swam until late, then dragged his long cord into the reed fields. Sprout slowly followed him as the cold autumn night settled in.
    One early morning the wind blew mightily, shaking the reed fields. Something was in the air. Sprout trembled as the wind cut into her feathers. She became worried about Greentop, who was within shouting distance. “Baby, are you okay?”
    Greentop was looking around nervously, his neck outstretched. He suddenly shouted, “Mom, be careful!” and flew into the air. Sprout tensed up. Greentop signaled that the weasel was near, then circled the reed fields making a ruckus. “There are three—wait, there’s another! Why are there so many?”
    Sprout panicked. One was enough to deal with, but now there were four! She cautiously emerged from the reed fields. Out of nowhere the one-eyed weasel appeared. He snorted at her. Sprout glared back.
    â€œYou’re not what we’re looking for—unless there’s nothing else to eat in the fields,” the weasel said with a mischievous smile. He turned around.
    Sprout snapped back: “Only an excellent hunter can catch him. For a one-eyed hunter like you, it’s got to be hard enough just to keep him in view. You came with three others, but look, he’s up in the air! Or maybe you haven’t spotted him yet because you’re missing an eye?”
    Annoyed, the weasel crouched and bared his teeth. But he didn’t attack. “It’s hunting season. Finally! We’ve been waiting for this!” And off he ran.
    Sprout looked around. It was overcast. Each time a gust of wind blew, the reeds collapsed and then wearily staggered up. The rough wind that felled the reeds left a large footprint. Something extraordinary was about to occur. Greentop called to Sprout, and Sprout called back. Having completed a loop around the reservoir, he landed next to her. For the first time in a long while, they stood side by side and looked down at the reservoir together.
    â€œMom, it’s strange. I’ve never felt like this before. Something is about to happen.”
    â€œHunters?”
    â€œNo, not that.”
    â€œIs it something more frightening?”
    â€œMom, this is different. It’s covering the entire sky. Can’t you feel it?”
    â€œBaby, what are you talking about?” Sprout couldn’t tell what Greentop was seeing through his squinted eyes or what he was hearing.
    â€œWow, that sound! Mom, it’s amazing. So many of them are flocking this way!”
    She couldn’t tell what was about to happen, but she knew it was going to be entirely new. As she waited, she started to feel it. The noise reverberated between the sky and the mountains far away. It gradually expanded, getting louder. And finally black spots appeared.
    They were birds, countless birds that soon