There was a young Nigerian boy named Olu who had a pet
white chicken. They became great friends and inseparable companions. One day the
hen disappeared and Olu cried and cried. Then after three weeks the white hen
returned to the compound with seven beautiful white chicks. The Nigerian boy was
overjoyed. The mother took very good care of her chicks.

    One day late in the dry season the older boys set a ring
of fire to the bush area outside the village. Everyone stood outside the ring as
the fire burned toward the center. The purpose was to drive little animals such
as rabbits and small antelopes out of the circle. Then the waiting cutlasses
claimed their prey. When the slaughter and the fire were over, Olu and his
friends walked through the smoldering embers. The boy noticed a heap of charred
feathers and smelled burned flesh. It looked like the remains of a bird that had
not escaped from the fire. Then Olu realized in horror. It was his beloved
friend the white hen all black and burned to death. But then came the sounds of
chicks. The mother hen had covered them with her body and they were still alive
and well. The mother had given her life for her children. She died that they may
live.