
In this charming collection the author invites listeners to step into the hush of twilight, where plants, insects and small animals begin their secret lives. With a warm, conversational tone she shares the wonder she discovers during her own night‑time wanderings, even crediting her curious cat for nudging the tales along. The narration feels like a gentle bedtime chat, encouraging even the most timid listeners to see the night as a world of quiet activity rather than something to fear.
The opening story introduces a determined speckled hen who, against all expectation, cares for a clutch of unusual black Spanish chicks. Set against a sleepy farmyard, the tale follows her tender watch over the vulnerable brood as daylight fades and the cool shadows grow deeper. Through simple, vivid scenes the listener glimpses the rhythm of rural life after sunset, feeling the calm assurance of creatures finding safety under the night’s soft blanket.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (184K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Heather Clark and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2011-01-20
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

Best known for gentle animal stories for children, this early 20th-century American writer turned life on farms, in meadows, and in the woods into warm, talkative adventures. Her books invite young listeners into a world where everyday creatures feel lively, curious, and full of personality.
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