Scout the Chicken Guard

Summary

In 'Scout, the Chicken Guard' by Lionel Page, illustrated by Barbara Sperle, Scout the chicken protector takes pride in his duty to guard the chickens and their chicks. When a stranger claiming to be Aunt Vixen arrives, Scout is suspicious but allows her in. After hearing squawks and noticing feathers, Scout realizes Aunt Vixen is a fox in disguise. He thwarts her attempt to steal baby chicks, and she flees, vowing to return. The story highlights the age-old struggle between foxes and chickens, emphasizing the need for vigilance and protection.

Takeaways

• 🐓 'Scout the Chicken Guard' is a story about a chicken named Scout who takes pride in guarding the chickens and their chicks.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Scout's job is to ensure the safety of the chickens from potential threats, including those who might want to steal them for food.
• 🐺 A stranger, claiming to be 'Aunt Vixen,' arrives at the farm, expressing a desire to visit the chickens and their chicks.
• 🤔 Scout is suspicious as the chickens have never mentioned Aunt Vixen before, but he allows her in after she explains living far away.
• 😨 Scout notices Aunt Vixen has sharp teeth and looks big for a chicken, which raises his concern.
• 🐥 After Aunt Vixen enters the hen house, Scout hears a lot of squawking, suggesting something unusual is happening.
• 🕊️ Aunt Vixen leaves the hen house quickly, claiming it's almost time for dinner, but Scout notices baby chick feathers falling behind her.
• 🏃‍♀️ Scout realizes Aunt Vixen is a thief and shouts 'stop thief,' but she runs away, dropping her coat and revealing the stolen baby chicks.
• 🌲 Aunt Vixen escapes into the woods, vowing to return, leaving Scout to rescue the chicks and return them to the safety of the hen house.
• ✍️ The author's note explains that foxes have been natural predators of chickens, and this story is a playful take on the age-old struggle between the two species.

Q & A

What is Scout's job in the story?

Scout's job is to guard the chickens and their baby chicks in the hen house, ensuring no one harms them.

Who is Aunt Vixen in the story?

Aunt Vixen is a stranger who arrives at the farm claiming to be the chickens' aunt, but she is actually a fox in disguise.

Why is Scout initially suspicious of Aunt Vixen?

Scout is suspicious because the chickens have never mentioned Aunt Vixen before, and she has sharp teeth, which is unusual for a chicken.

What does Aunt Vixen do when she enters the hen house?

When Aunt Vixen enters the hen house, she causes a lot of squawking and is later revealed to have stolen some baby chicks.

How does Scout realize Aunt Vixen's true identity?

Scout notices a trail of baby chick feathers falling behind Aunt Vixen as she leaves the hen house, which makes him suspicious.

What action does Scout take when he discovers Aunt Vixen's deception?

Scout shouts 'Stop thief!' and chases Aunt Vixen, who drops her coat and reveals the stolen baby chicks.

Why do chickens need help from humans or other animals like Scout?

Chickens have no effective way to defend themselves against predators like foxes, so they require assistance for protection.

What is the moral of the story?

The moral of the story is to be vigilant and not to be deceived by appearances, as predators can be cunning and disguise themselves.

How does the author, Lionel Page, use the character of Scout to teach a lesson?

Lionel Page uses Scout to demonstrate the importance of being watchful and questioning strangers, especially when they seem out of place or suspicious.

What is the significance of the sharp teeth in the story?

The sharp teeth are a clue that Aunt Vixen is not a chicken but a fox, which is a natural predator of chickens, and this detail helps Scout and the reader realize her true identity.

How does the story end?

The story ends with Scout rescuing the baby chicks and promising to be ready for Aunt Vixen if she returns, highlighting the importance of vigilance and protection.