.jpg "Why the Jungle Fowl Fled to the Forest – Indonesian Folklore")
Since long time ago, chickens have lived side by side with humans, sharing their yards and their homes. But once upon a time, there was a chicken family who decided to leave the human village behind and make their home deep in the forest instead. They became the ancestors of the partridge. Here's their story.
Chapter 1: A Mother's Sadness
Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a mother hen with many, many children. But every single one of them was a rooster — not a single daughter among them. The mother hen loved her sons dearly, and yet, deep in her heart, she carried a quiet sadness that never seemed to go away.
Her children noticed it right away. They saw how their mother's eyes grew heavy, how she sighed when she thought no one was watching. One morning, gathering their courage, they came to her side.
One of the Roosters: "Mother, why are you always so sad? Don't you feel happy to have so many strong sons like us?"
The mother hen looked at each of her children, one by one, before she spoke.
Mother Hen: "Listen, my sons. I am happy — happier than words can say — to have such fine, handsome boys like you. I love every one of you with all my heart. But that is exactly why I am sad. Once you are grown, the humans will turn you into fighting cocks."
The chicks fell silent, their little heads tilting in confusion.
Mother Hen: "You will be forced to fight other roosters, for the humans' entertainment. Sharp blades will be tied to your legs, just as they will be tied to your opponent's. And the humans will not be satisfied — not until one of you has fallen, and lost, and died."
Chapter 2: Questions Without Comfort
The chicks huddled closer together, frightened by what their mother had told them. One of the braver ones finally spoke up.
One of the Chicks: "But Mother, isn't it only the handsome, strong roosters that humans choose for fighting? Surely the plain-looking ones are left alone?"
The mother hen shook her head slowly, her voice heavy with sorrow.
Mother Hen: "That is true, my child. But you must understand something else — the roosters who are not chosen for fighting are not spared, either. They are turned into meat instead, slaughtered for the humans' supper."
She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing.
Mother Hen: "That is how humans are, my children. When they are happy, when there is something to celebrate, we are the ones who are slaughtered for their feast. And when times are hard, when there is little to go around, we are the first to go hungry. There is no safety in staying with them — not for chickens like us."
Chapter 3: A Bold Idea
The chicks looked at one another, and for a long moment, no one said a word. Then, the boldest of them all stepped forward, his eyes shining with determination.
One of the Chicks: "Then we shouldn't stay with the humans anymore, Mother! They are greedy, and they only think of themselves — never of us. Why don't we run away? We could go to the forest, far from any human village, and live free!"
But another chick, more cautious, tugged nervously at his brother's wing.
A Cautious Chick: "But brother, what would we eat out there? It has always been the humans who feed us. We wouldn't even know where to begin."
The boldest chick answered without hesitation.
The Bold Chick: "Then we shall learn! We will search for our own food in the forest, with our own two feet. There is plenty to find there, if only we are willing to work hard for it. Even if some days we find only a little, that is still better than living in fear. What matters most is being free."
Chapter 4: The Journey to the Forest
The mother hen listened to her children's words, and slowly, a small light of hope returned to her tired eyes.
Mother Hen: "Very well, my children. Let us all run away to the forest together. We will learn to find our own food, no matter how difficult it may be. I could never bear to watch you become victims of human cruelty. Let us work hard for our freedom, my sons — for as long as we are happy, nothing else matters."
And so, that very day, the mother hen and her sons left the village behind forever. They walked deep into the heart of the forest, further than any of them had ever gone, until the sounds of the village faded completely behind them.
Chapter 5: The Legacy of the Partridge
This, the villagers say, is how the partridge came to be. Long ago, these birds lived closely with humans, sharing their homes and their yards. But today, their numbers have grown fewer and fewer, as more and more of the forests they call home are cleared away to make room for human settlements.
Try the interactive version of Origin of the Jungle Fowl! Help the chicken family make a big decision, listen to the narration, and discover for yourself why they chose to live free in the forest.
Source: I.B. Mantra, Astrid S., Susanto, B. Susanto, & S. Wibisono. Cerita Rakyat Daerah Jawa Timur [Folk Tales of East Java]. Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan (Ministry of Education and Culture).
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