Henny's Year of Wishes
The Hen Who Wished the Seasons Away
A fresh blanket of soft, white snow covered everything in sight. But Henny the Hen was not happy. "Snow, snow, snow!" she grumbled, her broom making little headway against the fluffy powder on her porch. "I do wish this winter would just end!"
Her friend, Jack the Rabbit, hopped over, his long ears dusted with snowflakes. "Really, Henny?" he asked with a friendly twitch of his nose. "So you must be wishing for springtime then?"
"Oh, yes I do!" Henny agreed eagerly. "I dream of green shoots and flowers! Although..." she paused, "when April comes with its showers and everything gets muddy and squishy, I start wishing it would hurry up and be summer."
"I see," said Jack, a twinkle in his eye. "And what about summer, Henny? Does it suit you perfectly?"
"Summer is lovely," Henny sighed. "For a while. But then it gets terribly hot and dusty in August. By then, I'm always ready for autumn, I can tell you."
Jack the Rabbit chuckled, a warm sound in the chilly air. "Well then, Henny, I guess autumn must be your favorite season of all?"
"I suppose so," Henny said thoughtfully. "Autumn is nice, with its crisp air and beautiful colors... except when I have to keep raking leaves, leaves, and more leaves! Honestly, it makes me wish for winter to come and cover them all up."
"Winter!" cried Jack, flopping down on the snowy steps and laughing right out loud. "Henny, oh Henny! You just wished the whole year around—and right back to where you started!"
Henny blinked with surprise. She thought about her grumbling through the mud, the heat, and the endless leaves. Jack was right! A little laugh escaped her lips, too. "Why, so I did!" she said. "Oh, Jack, wouldn't it be awful if the year really did go by that fast?"
Suddenly, the snow didn't seem like a nuisance. It looked like a sparkling, clean blanket. "Snow, snow, beautiful snow!" Henny said happily, dropping her broom. She skipped down the steps to help Jack the Rabbit make a big, jolly snowman in her sparkling white front yard.
What Do We Learn from This Story?
Moral Values and Lessons
- Appreciating the Present Moment: The story teaches us to find joy in today instead of always wishing for tomorrow.
- Finding the Good in Every Situation: Every season and every situation has its own beauty and challenges. It's important to look for the good.
- The Danger of Complaining: Constant complaining can make us miss the happiness that is right in front of us.
- Friendship and Perspective: A good friend, like Jack, can help us see things in a new and better way.
Let's Test Our Knowledge!
Comprehension Questions
- Why was Henny unhappy at the beginning of the story?
- What was Henny's complaint about spring?
- Why did Henny get tired of summer and autumn?
- What did Jack the Rabbit help Henny realize?
- What did Henny and Jack decide to do at the end of the story?
Critical Thinking Questions
- Do you think it's ever okay to wish for a different season? Why or why not?
- How would the story be different if Jack the Rabbit agreed with Henny's complaints?
- Besides building a snowman, what are other fun things to do in the winter?
Connecting the Story to Your Life
- What is your favorite season, and what do you love most about it?
- Have you ever complained about something and then realized it wasn't so bad after all?
- Who is a friend in your life who helps you feel happy, like Jack helped Henny?
Let's Play Together!
Fun Activities
- Draw the Four Seasons: Divide a piece of paper into four sections. In each section, draw a picture of what Henny's yard might look like in winter, spring, summer, and autumn.
- Act it Out: With a friend, take turns being Henny and Jack. Act out the conversation, making sure to show Henny's grumpiness and Jack's cheerful laughter.
- My Favorite Things Jar: Decorate a jar. On small pieces of paper, write down things you like about the current season and put them in the jar. Read them when you're feeling grumpy!