The Chick Named Uno
(this is another final story for children’s lit.)
Once there was a chick named Uno who only had one leg. Uno did not have any friends because other chicks from the Chick Academy of Chicken Land often mocked him because of his appearance. They made harsh jokes and called Uno names such as one-legged freak, putol, bunny (because Uno needed to hop to move around) and many others.
Most of the time, Uno would sit on his chair and watched other chicks play outside the classroom during recess. But one day, as Uno watched other chicks play, Uno did not know that Teacher Hen was observing him.
“Uno? Is something wrong” Teacher Hen asked. “Why don’t you go out and play with the others?”
“Uhm, no thank you ma’am,” Uno looked down. “I will just stay here and wait for our class to start.”
Teacher Hen looked at Uno. She knew that Uno was ashamed because of the way he looked. Other chicks did not want to play with Uno because he cannot jump high, run fast, or pull hard. Uno was just different.
RRRRIIIINNNNGGGG
“Chicks, its time for our next class,” Teacher Hen called the other chicks. “Stop playing and come inside the room.”
The chicks then started to run inside the room. They were shouting and giggling and joking at each other. Some of them walked towards Uno.
“Hey bunny,” a chick said to Uno. “Hopping around lately?”
“Putol!” another chick shouted at Uno. “Putol! Putol! Putol!”
“Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!” the chicks laughed.
Uno sunk in his seat. His eyes started to water but he did not want to cry. He held his breath to prevent his tears to flow down his cheeks. Then…
“Stop teasing Uno!” Teacher Hen scolded the other chicks. “You should not mock others!”
The chicks then giggled as they ran to their seats. Their eyes were secretly looking at Uno’s leg as they sat.
“Class,” Teacher Hen said. “This time we will learn about teamwork. I will divide you into two groups and we will play a game.”
“Yehey!!!!” the chicks shouted in a chorus.
Only Uno remained silent. He knew the other chicks do not want him to be with any group. He will only cause his team to loose.
“Uno,” Teacher Hen said. “You will be with Group A.”
“But teacher,” a chick from Group A argued. “We do not want Uno to be with us.”
“Yes ma’am,” another Group A chick said pointing his wing at Uno. “He will only drag us down.”
“Ma’am?” Uno said in the verge of tears. “Ma’am, they are right. I will just sit here and watch them play.”
“No Uno!” Teacher Hen answered. “Its either they play with you or they do not play at all.”
All chicks were silent. They can not believe that Teacher Hen would allow a freak to play with them. She must be out of her mind, they said to their selves.
Outside the room, Teacher Hen told the chicks to go to their respective groups.
“Chicks,” Teacher hen announced. “Our game will be about endurance. I want group members to form a circle. Hold the wing of the chick beside you.”
The chicks followed Teacher Hen’s instruction. Group B was confident that they will win the game. Uno is with the other group, he will be their weak link.
“Each group member must support his or her teammates,” Teacher Hen added. “On my signal I want you all to stand using only one leg, the first group to fall will loose the game. The game starts… NOW!!!”
All chicks stood with one leg. After a few moments, most of the chicks started trembling. They are not used to stand with only a single leg. Then a Group B member fell down and dragged the other members.
Meanwhile, Group A members’ legs were also trembling. But when the chick beside Uno was about to fall down, Uno held the chick’s wing tight and pulled hard to keep the chick standing.
“And the winner is,” Teacher Hen announced. “Group A.”
Group A cheered as Group B applauded them for their victory.
“Uno,” a Group A chick said. “We could not have won with out you. We are sorry we underestimated you because you only have one leg.”
“Its okay,” Uno answered with a smile. “I too underestimated myself. Now I know I can do something that others can not as others have something that I don’t have.”
“Very good chicks,” Teacher Hen said as she smiled. “All of us are unique in our own way. We should not judge anyone with just the way they looked.”
Since then, the chicks Chick Academy of Chicken Land treated each chick as unique as they are special.
