A little red hen and a handsome rooster decided one bright day, "Let's go visit Mr. Korbes!"
"A splendid idea!" crowed the rooster. "But how shall we travel?"
"We'll build a carriage!" clucked the hen. So, they found some strong nutshells and tiny twigs, and soon they had a little carriage, just big enough for two.

As they set off, a sleek black Cat called out, "Meow! Where are you two off to in such a fine carriage?"
"We're going to visit Mr. Korbes," said the hen.
"May I come along?" asked the Cat.
"Certainly," said the rooster, "but you must sit nicely in the back." So the Cat hopped in.

A little further down the road, they met a big, round Millstone. "Rumble, rumble, where are you going?" asked the Millstone.
"To Mr. Korbes' house!" they all replied.
"Can I join you?" rumbled the Millstone.
"Well," said the hen, looking at the rooster, "you are rather heavy, but if you can fit, you're welcome." The Millstone carefully squeezed itself into the carriage.

Next, they came across an Egg. "Oh, what a lovely trip!" peeped the Egg. "Are you going to see Mr. Korbes?"
"We are indeed!" said the Cat.
"May I come too?" asked the Egg.
"Hop in, but be very careful!" warned the hen. The Egg wobbled aboard.

Then, a quacking Duck waddled up. "Quack, quack! A party on wheels! Are you off to Mr. Korbes'?"
"Yes, we are!" said the Millstone, its voice a bit muffled.
"Take me with you!" quacked the Duck.
"Alright," said the rooster, "but no splashing!" The Duck happily joined the group.

Finally, they met a Pin and a Needle, who were out for a stroll. "Good day!" said the Pin sharply. "Where is this grand procession heading?"
"To Mr. Korbes' house!" everyone chimed.
"Oh, how exciting! May we come?" asked the Needle, its voice thin.
"Of course," said the hen. "Just find a soft spot." The Pin and Needle carefully climbed in.

The little nutshell carriage, now quite full, trundled along until it reached Mr. Korbes' house. But Mr. Korbes was not at home.
"Let's wait inside," suggested the hen.
So, they all went in. The rooster flew up onto a high beam. The Cat curled up by the warm fireplace. The Duck waddled into the water barrel in the kitchen. The Egg rolled itself into a towel hanging nearby. The Pin stuck itself into the cushion of Mr. Korbes' favorite armchair. The Needle jumped into the pillow on his bed. And the heavy Millstone positioned itself carefully on the ledge above the front door.

Soon, Mr. Korbes returned. He was tired and went straight to the fireplace to warm himself. "MEOW-HISSS!" The Cat, startled, leaped up and scratched his nose.
"Ouch!" cried Mr. Korbes. He reached for the towel to wipe his face, and CRACK! The Egg broke all over him.
Annoyed, he went to sit in his armchair. "YEEOWCH!" he yelled, jumping up. The Pin had pricked him!
Feeling very grumpy, Mr. Korbes decided to go to bed. He plumped his pillow, and "OOF!" The Needle poked his cheek.
Now thoroughly upset, he stomped to the kitchen to wash his face in the water barrel. SPLASH! The Duck flapped its wings, soaking him from head to toe.
Mr. Korbes was so surprised and flustered by all this that he turned to run out of the house. But just as he reached the door, THUMP! The Millstone fell from the ledge and knocked him quite silly.

As for the hen and the rooster, they had seen enough. They flew out the window, clucking and crowing, and hurried back to their own quiet farmyard, very glad their adventure was over.

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