Ukrainian folk tale
The Speckled Hen
The Speckled Hen (Ryaba) — a folk tale about a hen and a golden egg that no one could break. Read the full text for free.
Once there lived an old man and an old woman. And they had a little hen called Ryaba.
The hen laid an egg — not an ordinary one, but a golden one.
Grandpa struck it — it did not break. Grandma struck it — it did not break.
A mouse ran by, gave a flick of its tail, and the egg fell and broke.
Grandpa cries, Grandma cries, but the hen clucks:
“Don’t cry, Grandpa, don’t cry, Grandma! I’ll lay you another egg — not golden, but an ordinary one.”
Listen to this tale narrated
Professional audio narration and many more tales for children aged 0–6 — in the Tale Tails app. Read or listen, even offline.
Get it on Google PlayQuestions & answers
What age is the tale “The Speckled Hen” for?
“The Speckled Hen” is best for children aged 2 to 4, though it is loved at any age.
Is there an audio narration of “The Speckled Hen”?
Yes. A professional audio narration of “The Speckled Hen” is available in the free Tale Tails app for Android.
Is “The Speckled Hen” free to read?
Yes, the full text of “The Speckled Hen” is free to read on this page, with no sign-up.
What is the moral of “The Speckled Hen”?
What matters most is not always what glitters.
