Photo by Mesh on Unsplash

Once upon a time, in a serene village nestled in the lush landscapes of Kerala, there lived a charming and bubbly seven-year-old girl named Janu. She was known for her infectious laughter, her love for the world around her, and her fascination with the feathered inhabitants of her village.

Janu lived in a joint family. In her backyard, her aunt kept a small flock of chickens, around six of them. Each of these hens had its own personality, but there was one young and fluffy hen that stood out. This particular hen was a vibrant and energetic bird with feathers as soft as a cloud. Janu loved her because of her beautiful plumage and her lively nature. Unlike the other hens, she had a special talent - she laid an egg every single day, like clockwork.

Every morning, as the first rays of the sun kissed the horizon, Janu would eagerly accompany her aunt to the backyard. There, they would find her cozy corner, ready to present them with a freshly laid egg. Janu was enchanted by her consistency and would often spend time watching the hen go about her daily routine.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Janu's aunt would gently collect the egg from her nest, and it would be used to prepare a delicious breakfast for the family. The daily routine of collecting her eggs became a cherished tradition in their household, and it brought a sense of warmth and homeliness to their lives.

She, with her unwavering commitment to providing eggs, had become more than just a hen. She was a symbol of dependability and a source of joy in Janu's life. In a world that could sometimes be unpredictable, the presence of her and her daily gift of an egg was a reassuring constant.

This hen was extraordinary, for it would lay eggs continuously for fifteen to twenty days before taking a break. During this break, the hen would sit still in one place, almost as if it had caught a fever. In those olden days, the elders of her house had a peculiar remedy for this unusual condition.

They believed that the hen's fever could be cured by dipping it into the cool waters of a pond, which would magically restore its vitality. The elders had seen this remedy work countless times, and the hen would soon resume pecking at its food with gusto.

One bright and sunny morning, Janu decided to take matters into her own hands. She had formed an inseparable bond with the hen, which she had affectionately named 'Fluffy.' She couldn't bear to see her beloved Fluffy suffer, and her heart was filled with innocent determination.

So, with her eyes sparkling with love for her feathered friend, Janu decided to immerse Fluffy fully in the pond. Instead of just dipping, due to her innocence and less knowledge, she forcibly immersed the hen in the water till it kept quiet thinking she would become active fast. Fluffy struggled briefly and then went completely still. Janu's heart sank as she realized her mistake, but it was too late. The realization of her action washed over Janu, and she began to cry. She pulled Fluffy out of the pond, desperately hoping that the remedy would still work.

However, Fluffy didn't respond. Panic set in, and Janu knelt beside her lifeless friend, pleading for her to wake up. The minutes passed like hours as Janu prayed and prayed for a miracle. Finally, it dawned on her that Fluffy would not come back to life. With a heavy heart, she gently laid Fluffy on the bank of the pond, where she'd spent so many happy days. Her grief was overwhelming.

Afraid of the consequences, Janu slipped into her house and hid, hoping nobody would find out. But the lifeless body of Fluffy didn't go unnoticed, and news travelled fast.

Soon, someone discovered the dead chicken and raised the alarm. All household gathered around, trying to figure out who had caused this tragedy. Suspicion fell upon the little girl, Janu, as she was the only one missing from the curious crowd.

As everybody stood around the lifeless Fluffy, they shared stories of how Janu had loved the hen dearly and how she had wanted to help. The truth slowly emerged, and they began to realize that it was an innocent mistake, born out of love and compassion, that had led to this tragedy.

The guilt and shame weighed heavily on Janu's young heart as she watched them discover the real culprit. She couldn't bear to stay hidden any longer and stepped forward, tears in her eyes, to admit her mistake.

All were deeply moved by Janu's genuine remorse. They realized that she was just a child who had made a mistake out of love for her pet. With compassion in their hearts, they forgave her, and together, they hugged her for her innocence.

Janu learned a profound lesson that day about the consequences of her actions.

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