# The Little Red Hen

- Link: https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/the-little-red-hen/
- Published: 2025-05-29T14:37:17+05:30
- Author: MAHENDRA MANCHIKALAPATI

[English Language Lab](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/) [Stories for Kids](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/)
The Little Red Hen

 A traditional folktale

# The Little Red Hen

A hen asks for help with a loaf of bread, but her friends keep saying no.

📖 2-minute read🍃 Ages 5–11✨ Cooperation and contributing

[Begin reading ](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/the-little-red-hen/#sf-story-text)

![The Little Red Hen](https://res.cloudinary.com/xhdxr70z/images/c_scale,w_768,h_512,
dpr_2/f_auto,q_auto/v1791110773/The-Little-Red-Hen/The-Little-Red-Hen.webp?_i=AA)

**A story of cooperation and contributing**Read together · Retell · Imagine

 Settle in and read at your pace

A story to read together

## The Little Red Hen

Take your time. Let the story unfold.

The Little Red Hen found a few grains of wheat near the barn. She thought they could
become bread, but the work would take many steps. She asked the dog, the cat and
the duck if they would help.

Chapter one

### Planting the wheat

“Who will help me plant these grains?” asked the hen. The dog, cat and duck each
said they were busy. So the hen planted them herself and watered the soil.

Chapter two

### From grain to flour

The hen gathered the wheat and took it to the mill. She carried the flour home and
began preparing the dough. Her friends noticed the warm, sweet smell but had not
helped yet.

Chapter three

### A loaf for sharing

When the bread was ready, the hen asked who would help eat it. The friends all volunteered.
The hen explained that she had done every step alone.

Chapter four

### Helping next time

The next day, the friends apologized and asked how they could help. The hen showed
them how to prepare a new patch of soil.

 The end

###  Story path

[01Planting the wheat](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/the-little-red-hen/#sf-chapter-planting-the-wheat)
[02From grain to flour](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/the-little-red-hen/#sf-chapter-from-grain-to-flour)
[03A loaf for sharing](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/the-little-red-hen/#sf-chapter-a-loaf-for-sharing)
[04Helping next time](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/the-little-red-hen/#sf-chapter-helping-next-time)

###  Word basket

**grain**a seed from a plant such as wheat

**harvest**to gather crops when they are ready

**dough**a soft mixture used to make bread

**contribute**to give help or effort to a group

**Read it together**

Let children join in with the repeated lines. Ask them how the ending might change
if the friends helped earlier.

## After the final page

There is no single right answer. Invite young readers to notice, wonder and imagine.

Remember

Who helps the hen at each stage?

Think

What could the other animals have done differently?

Imagine

At which steps could the other animals have helped the hen?

**Make something:** Draw the steps from grain to bread. Put a helpful character 
beside each step.

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