When all through the henhouse,
not a chicken was clucking, not even at a mouse.
The caw-kings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Chick-O-Las soon would be there.
The chicks were nestled all snug in their nests,
while visions of sweet corn danced in their heads.
And mama in her 'caw-chief, and I in my caw-p,
Had just settled our feathers for a long chicken's nap.
When out on the roof arose such a clucker,
I sprang from my nest to see what was up there.
Away to the window I flapped like a flash,
tore open the wire, and pushed aside some mash.
The moon on the beak of the new-feathered snow
gave the cluck-ster of midday to roosters below,
when, what to my wondering wattle should appear,
but a miniature nest and eight tiny squirrels here.
With a little red rooster, so loud and so quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Cluck.
More fluffy than feathers, his caw-rsers they came,
and he clucked and bawked and caw-lled them by name:
"Now Feathers! Now Wattle!
Now, Strutter and Chicken!
On, Clucker! On, Cawer!
On, Scratcher and Egglet!
To the top of the hay!
To the top of the fence!
Now run away! Run away!
Run away all!"