Anushka and Chick - Part 1

Anushka and Chick - Part 1

Anushka started to go to school from Junior K. G. From the first day she always liked to go to school. She liked her teachers, she met new friends and she always had new experiences. She always learned something new from these experiences.

When Anushka was in the 1^st grade she had a very pleasant and unique experience.

One day she went to school by a school bus. She was going to her class when Shaurya came running to her.

“Anushka, Anushka, you know, today, one uncle has come from the farm and he is going to show us something wonderful. He has a box with him. I think he is a magician.”

Anushka and Shaurya ran to the classroom. It was circle time so all sat in an oval and waited eagerly. The teacher introduced Mr. John uncle. He was a farmer and he was carrying a box that looked different. He said, it was an incubator, a special type of box that maintains a desired temperature inside. 

Magic Box

“Is it a magic box?” Anushka asked.

“Umm!? Yes. But it does a different type of magic. It transforms a simple thing into a complex thing that has life. Let us see.” 

He opened the box and there were 12 eggs in it. He lifted one egg and passed it through the hands of all children. “Handle very carefully” he said. “Otherwise there will be another ‘Humpty-Dumpty’.” …

“Wow!” all whispered.

“So this is a simple egg. We will keep it here and wait for some time to see the magic.” 

Everybody was looking at the egg with big eyes to see the magic happen. After some time they heard a ‘Tuk Tuk’ noise. “Somebody is knocking from inside. Who is it?”

“Can I come out?” A soft voice came from inside.

“Yes, of course! Everybody is waiting.” Uncle John said. 

Chick coming out of Egg

There was a crack on the egg. The crack widened and slowly a yellow chick stepped out. It was very small, fluffy and cute.  Uncle John lifted it delicately and asked, “who wants to hold it?”

At first nobody was ready. Then Anushka came forward, slowly lifted her palm and said, “I am ready.”

“Hold it in both palms,” said uncle John and put the chick on her palms.

The chick was so soft and delicate that Anushka was frightened. The chick was also frightened. Then Anushka said, “Hi, Hallo chick. Don’t be frightened. I am Anushka.”

The chick moved on her palms and she felt a tingling sensation. “Hi. I am Chick.” 

Anushka - holding Chick in palms

“Good morning Chick. Welcome to this world. This is your first day in this world.” Anushka said.

“Have you seen the magic?” Uncle John asked.

“Yes! Yes!! How has it happened?” everybody shouted.

“Oh! Don’t shout. The chick is frightened.” Uncle John said.

“Uncle, please explain the magic.” Anushka said softly.

“The hen lays egg. It contains a tiny disc known as embryo that develops into a chick. This is surrounded by all essential food required for its growth. Inside the egg the embryo grows to form the chick. When the chick is sufficiently grown to survive in the outer world, it breaks the shell and comes out. This is known as hatching. For this development warmth is needed. You must have seen the hen, sitting in her nest, keeping all eggs warm under her wings.” 

“Yes. I have seen. And when we went near to see, she started shouting loudly like ‘Puk Puk Puk Pukaak Puk’.” Ching said. All started laughing.

“She wanted to protect the eggs. It takes 21 days to happen this magic of egg changing into a live chick.”
“How it happened here just now? Anushka asked.

“Because these eggs are 21 days old. Hen, the mother, has kept them under her wings for 21 days and I brought them here just now in this box.”

“Is that a special box?”

“Yes. It keeps the warmth, just like a thermos. It is known as an Incubator.”  

“And these eggs?”

“They will also hatch one by one. See, this other one is also coming out and this one is doing ‘Tuk-Tuk, may I come out?’”

“I will take it in my palms” Rosy said. Uncle John lifted that chick and kept it on Rosie’s palms. “Oh! It’s also moving.”

“All animals lay eggs?” Akshay asked.  

“No. For  example, you were born as a fully grown baby. Cats, dogs and cows etc. also don’t lay eggs. But birds, reptiles, frogs, fish, etc. and many other animals lay eggs.” Teacher said. 

By that time all chicks came out of shells and uncle John gave them to other students.

“So? How was the experience?” Uncle John asked.

“Oh! Thrilling!! Thank you uncle John.” Anushka said. “It was a magical experience. And you explained everything so well …”

“Anushka, is this your school?” Chick asked. “Can you show it to us?”

“Yes! Of course! Uncle John, can I take this chick to show our school?

“Yes. But be very gentle.”

 “Okay! Let’s go chick.”

And all went to see the school. 

Sulu Aaji

- - - * * * - - - * * * - - - * * * - - - * * * - - - * * * - - -