Long ago, in the animal kingdom, where birds and beasts lived by their own customs and laws, there was a handsome and proud hawk. He soared high above the land, commanding respect and admiration from all creatures with his sharp talons, majestic wings, and keen eyes. One day, while flying low over a farmyard, the hawk caught sight of a beautiful hen scratching at the ground. Her feathers glistened in the sunlight, and her gentle clucks sounded like music to his ears. Instantly, the hawk fell deeply in love with her.
Determined to make the hen his bride, the hawk descended from the skies and approached her parents. “I wish to marry your daughter,” he declared. “I will pay a handsome dowry and treat her with honor in the land of the hawks.”
The hen’s parents were flattered. The hawk was a noble and respected creature, and they could not refuse such a prestigious match. After some discussion, the hawk paid the dowry in full—grains, shiny trinkets, and the promise of protection for the hen. With the agreement sealed, the hen was married to the hawk and left her family to live with him in the sky.
The Cock’s Jealousy
Life in the land of the hawks was strange but peaceful. The hen missed the ground beneath her feet but found solace in the hawk’s kindness and the beautiful views from the treetops. One day, while visiting her parents on the ground, she encountered a dashing cock. The cock was captivated by her beauty and approached her with a melodious crow that made her heart flutter. Unlike the hawk, who was fierce and stoic, the cock was playful and charming. His crowing reminded her of her carefree days in the farmyard.
Over the following days, the cock began courting the hen, crowing loudly and displaying his vibrant feathers. Flattered and enchanted by his attention, the hen found herself drawn to him. She began to doubt her decision to marry the hawk. “Why should I stay with the hawk in the lonely skies,” she thought, “when I could live here with the cock and my kind?”
The Betrayal
One fateful day, the hen made a decision that would change the course of her life and the lives of her descendants. She left the hawk’s nest without a word and returned to the farmyard with the cock. The hawk, returning home to find his nest empty, searched desperately for his wife. When he discovered that she had left him for the cock, his heart broke. His sorrow soon turned to anger. He felt betrayed, not only by the hen but also by her parents, who had accepted his dowry in good faith.
The hawk flew to the hen’s parents and demanded that they return his dowry. “I have been dishonored,” he declared. “Return what you owe me, or I will take justice into my own talons.”
The hen’s parents were ashamed but helpless. The dowry had been spent, and they had no means to repay the hawk. The cock, for all his crowing and strutting, was equally unable to compensate the hawk. Frustrated and enraged, the hawk decided to take the matter to the king of animals, the mighty lion.
The King’s Decree
The lion, wise and just, listened to both sides of the dispute. He acknowledged that the hawk had been wronged and deserved restitution. Turning to the hen’s parents and the cock, he asked, “Can either of you repay the hawk’s dowry?”
They both shook their heads, ashamed of their inability to fulfill their obligation. The lion thought for a moment and then gave his decree: “The hawk has been cheated of his rightful bride and dowry. As justice, the hawk is permitted to take any of the cock’s offspring as payment, whenever and wherever he finds them. Furthermore, if the cock dares to complain, he will face my wrath.”
The hawk was satisfied with this ruling. The cock and the hen, however, were left to live with the consequences of their actions.
The Legacy
From that day forward, the hawk has remained vigilant. Whenever he spots a chick or young chicken, he swoops down and carries it off, a constant reminder of the debt owed to him. The cock, despite his loud crowing, can do nothing but watch helplessly, for he knows the king’s decree protects the hawk’s actions.
And so, the tale explains why hawks hunt chickens to this day—a payment for a betrayal long ago, a reminder that broken promises and acts of dishonor carry lasting consequences.
The Moral
This story teaches that actions have consequences, and betrayal can lead to long-lasting harm. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring agreements and treating others with respect and loyalty.