The Thieves and the Cock

Cunning Thieves, Wise Cock

In a quiet village, two sneaky thieves walked along the lane. They looked around with sharp eyes, hoping to find something valuable. "See that garden wall?" one thief whispered, pointing with a grubby finger. "Perhaps a shiny coin waits inside!" The other thief nodded, his grin wide, rubbing his hands.

A very clever old cock lived in a busy farmyard, not far away. He stretched his red neck, watching with bright, knowing eyes. He saw the thieves peeking. "Cluck, cluck," he thought. "Those two are up to no good." He had watched many mornings arrive at his favourite home.

The Plan

The two sneaky thieves listened closely, hiding near the farm fence. "Did you hear that?" one thief whispered, nudging the other. "They say there's a big treasure here, worth shiny coins!" The second thief's eyes grew wide and he rubbed his hands. "A treasure, you say? We must make it ours!" Later, under the moon, they talked in low voices. "We will dress up as farmers," the first thief said. "Then no one will know it's us." They pulled their old, grey hats low. They smeared mud onto their boots. They planned to sneak in with the real farmhands as morning light showed.

The Confrontation

The Thieves' Attempt

Night came, and the farmyard grew dark. Two sneaky thieves crept. Their boots made soft squelching sounds in the mud. One thief poked the other. "The big treasure is ours now!" he whispered. The other thief nodded, his eyes wide and shiny. The wise old cock watched them from his high perch. He did not miss a single step.

The cock had seen many nights on the farm. But these two men were the sneakiest. He puffed out his chest. "Not tonight, you two," he clucked very quietly. "Not on my watch!" He flapped his colourful wings. Then he let out a very loud "COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!" It was the loudest crow anyone had heard.

The farm animals woke up fast. The big farm dogs started barking loudly. A black cat hissed, its fur standing up. Even the sleepy cows lifted their heads and mooed, "Moooo?" Lights came on inside the warm farmhouse. Farmers hurried out with bright lanterns. They carried their strong tools, ready to keep their home safe.

The Thieves' Escape

The sneaky thieves saw the farmers running out. "Oh no!" one thief whispered. "They know! Run, quick!" hissed the other. Farmers shouted, waving their strong tools. One farmer threw a muddy boot, which whizzed past a thief's ear. The thieves ran fast to the tall wooden fence. Their legs pumped hard, and their hearts thumped like little drums. With a big jump, they scrambled over the fence and vanished into the dark night, leaving empty-handed.