The Hen that Laid the Golden Eggs by Aesop

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This article is written for younger readers, with activities suitable for children.

One day a farmer went out to get the eggs from his chickens. He was shocked to see that one hen had laid an egg made of gold!

Every week after that the hen laid another golden egg. The farmer took the eggs to the market and sold them for a lot of money. He and his wife bought a bigger farm and a bigger house.

Later the farmer thought, "I don't like waiting a week for the golden egg." He started giving the hen special food, and she began laying the eggs two or three times a week.

At first the farmer was happy. But he still wanted more. He thought, "Maybe all of those eggs are inside her, waiting to come out. If I kill her, I can get them all at once." So he killed the hen and looked inside for the eggs. But there was nothing there.

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Some words to talk about:

• golden: made of gold
• hen: a female chicken
• laid (an egg): made (an egg) from a chicken's body
• shocked: very surprised

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QUESTIONS:

Choose the best answer. Correct answers are in the first comment below.

1. What is special about the hen in this story?

A. She can lay eggs that look like gold.

B. She can lay eggs that are delicious.

C. She can lay eggs that are made of gold.

2. Why did the hen start laying the special eggs more quickly?

A. Because the farmer gave her special food.

B. Because the farmer bought a bigger house and farm.

C. Because the farmer went to the market.

3. Why did the farmer kill the hen at the end of the story?

A. To see what she looked like on the inside.

B. To try to get gold faster.

C. To cook and eat her.

4. How do you think the farmer feels at the end of the story?

A. Sad, because he won't get any more golden eggs.

B. Angry, because he wanted to eat more eggs.

C. Happy, because he is rich enough.

5. What is the main lesson of this story?

A. Learn to be happy with what you have.

B. Treat animals kindly.

C. Don't go to the market.