Queer Little Folks

In a sun‑dappled garden, a spirited young hen named Mrs. Feathertop struts proudly among the other birds, catching the eye of the local cock with her bright feathers and mischievous flutter. Her new owner, a diligent boy named Fred, has been given the task of building a cozy hen‑house on a sloping bank that overlooks a gentle river, complete with glass windows, snug nesting boxes, and even a few porcelain eggs for safekeeping. The scene is alive with chatter from neighboring hens and the occasional teasing from a cantankerous older bird, setting a lively backdrop for the farmyard’s everyday dramas.

When Fred’s friend Tom suggests an unexpected experiment—using Mrs. Feathortop to hatch duck eggs—the boy’s curiosity is sparked, and a modest barter with the pond‑side trader Sam sets the plan in motion. The story follows their earnest attempts to blend careful stewardship with a dash of daring, inviting listeners to share in the simple yet whimsical challenges of rural life and youthful imagination.