Article January 1, 2004 Issue

Safe, under Mother's wings

By Samuel Muiruri,—Kenya

When chicks are hatched here in the eastern part of Africa, their mothers protect them from eagles until the chicks are big enough to take care of themselves. Eagles like to eat little chicks. That's why the mother hens must watch their babies very carefully.

When a mother hen spots an eagle in the sky, she recognizes the danger right away. The mother has a special sound she uses to call her chicks. Maybe she is saying, “Come quickly, little ones!” The chicks know why mother is calling. That sound means danger!

When they hear mother's call, the chicks run to cuddle beneath her. They feel safe beneath their mother's wings. Nothing can hurt them there.

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