Cover of Queer Little Folks

Queer Little Folks

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  • 1 hour to read
  • Reading level: 7th grade

"Queer Little Folks" by Harriet Beecher Stowe is a collection of whimsical stories likely written in the late 19th century. The book features a variety of charming animal characters, such as Mrs. Feathertop the hen and her experience with an unexpected brood of ducklings, presenting engaging tales that highlight the quirks and personalities of its cast. The opening of the book introduces readers to the delightful story of Mrs. Feathertop, a hen of good lineage who starts off seeming frivolous and unconcerned with family responsibilities. However, as she lays eggs and prepares for motherhood, the tale humorously unfolds the tensions between her and her neighbors, like the grumpy Mrs. Scratchard. Readers witness Mrs. Feathertop's transformation when she hatches a brood of ducklings amidst the chaos of gossiping neighbors and a well-meaning but somewhat oblivious husband, Mr. Gray Cock. This whimsical beginning sets the tone for charming anecdotes that both entertain and convey subtle messages about family life and community.

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  • Animals
  • Animals · Anecdotes

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Transcribed from the 1897 T. Nelson and Sons edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org. Proofed by Rab Hughes, Carrie A. Fellman and Susan A. Wheeler.

QUEER
LITTLE FOLKS

By
HARRIET BEECHER STOWE

HEN THAT HATCHED DUCKS.
A STORY.

ONCE there was a nice young hen that we will call Mrs. Feathertop. She was a hen of most excellent family, being a direct descendant of the Bolton Grays, and as pretty a young fowl as you could wish to see of a summer’s day. She was, moreover, as fortunately situated in life as it was possible for a hen to be. She was bought by young Master Fred Little John, with four or five family connections of hers, and a lively young cock, who was held to be as brisk a scratcher and as capable a head of a family as any half-dozen sensible hens could desire.

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About this edition

This free edition of Queer Little Folks by Harriet Beecher Stowe comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #2486, released 2001-01-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Short Stories, Children & Young Adult Reading, Humour.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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