Once upon a time, in the whimsical land of Quirktopia, there lived a peculiar chicken named Beakton. Now, Beakton wasn’t your ordinary chicken. No, no, he had a penchant for wearing oversized top hats and monocles, and he would often be found reading books upside down just for the fun of it.
One sunny morning, as Beakton strutted through the village square, he overheard a group of animals chatting excitedly about a legendary treasure hidden deep in the Enchanted Forest. The treasure was said to grant the finder three wishes, and everyone was abuzz with tales of the riches it held.
Beakton, being the curious bird that he was, decided that he simply must find this treasure. He bid farewell to his fellow feathered friends and embarked on his quest into the Enchanted Forest.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, Beakton encountered all sorts of obstacles—a mischievous squirrel who tried to trick him with riddles, a talking tree who demanded a song in exchange for safe passage, and a grumpy troll who guarded the entrance to a mysterious cave.
But Beakton, with his quick wit and sharp beak, managed to outsmart each challenge that came his way. He solved the squirrel’s riddles with ease, sang a hilarious chicken-themed song that left the tree chuckling, and even managed to out-polite the grumpy troll, who was so taken aback by Beakton’s manners that he stepped aside without a fuss.
Finally, after a long and arduous journey, Beakton reached the heart of the Enchanted Forest, where the legendary treasure was said to lie. He found himself standing before a shimmering pool of water, its surface reflecting the lush greenery of the forest around him.
Suddenly, a voice boomed from the pool, echoing through the trees. “Who seeks the treasure of the Enchanted Forest?” it asked.
Beakton puffed out his chest proudly and replied, “It is I, Beakton the Clever! I have come to claim the treasure and make my three wishes.”
The water rippled and shimmered, and a wise old turtle emerged from the depths. “Very well, Beakton the Clever,” the turtle said. “But first, you must answer a riddle. Get it right, and the treasure shall be yours. Get it wrong, and you shall never lay eyes on it.”
Beakton nodded eagerly, ready to prove his wit once again. The turtle cleared its throat and posed the riddle: “I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?”
Beakton pondered for a moment, scratching his beak in thought. Then, a mischievous glint appeared in his eye as he exclaimed, “An echo! An echo is the answer!”
The turtle’s eyes twinkled with approval, and with a nod, it granted Beakton access to the treasure. The pool of water parted, revealing a glittering chest overflowing with gold coins, shimmering jewels, and otherworldly trinkets.
Beakton gasped in awe at the sight before him. He knew that he had to choose his wishes wisely. After much contemplation, he made his first wish—to bring laughter and joy to all the creatures of Quirktopia. In an instant, a wave of merriment swept through the land, and the animals danced and sang with glee.
For his second wish, Beakton wished for a never-ending supply of corn kernels for all the hungry critters in the forest. And just like that, bushels upon bushels of golden corn appeared, ready to be shared by one and all.
As for his final wish, Beakton decided to use it to help others in need. He wished for the Enchanted Forest to be forever protected from harm, ensuring that its beauty and magic would endure for generations to come.
And so, Beakton the Clever returned to Quirktopia a hero, his top hat slightly askew but his heart brimming with pride. The animals hailed him as a savior, and from that day on, Beakton’s name was spoken of in hushed tones of reverence and admiration.
And so ends the tale of Beakton the Clever, whose wit and wisdom brought joy and abundance to the Enchanted Forest and all who dwelt within it. His legend lived on, a fable of laughter, kindness, and the power of a clever chicken with a heart as big as his dreams.
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Genowere Fortunate Millicent was born and raised in Uganda, East Africa and is a student, poet, writer and photographer. She loves reading and writing poems and articles. She is currently a freelance editor and photographer.
Read – Where Do Smiles Come From? – A Children’s Literature by Stephen A. Kube, Cameroon
