How the Chicken Lost Its Teeth

In the beginning, the Chicken had a full set of sharp teeth, just like the other animals. It was also a terrible gossip and could not keep a secret. The Sky God, Chukwu, decided to give the gift of a beautiful singing voice to one animal. He told the Dog about it but swore him to secrecy. The Dog, however, mentioned it to the Chicken, warning him not to tell anyone else before the announcement. The Chicken, unable to contain himself, immediately ran around telling everyone, "I am getting the singing voice! I am getting the singing voice!" He bragged and boasted to all. Chukwu, hearing the commotion, was angry that the secret had been let out. He descended and said to the Chicken, "Because you could not hold the secret in your mouth, your mouth will no longer be able to hold anything at all." At that moment, all the Chicken's teeth fell out. The beautiful singing voice was given instead to the quiet and humble Canary. And to this day, the chicken has no teeth, a constant reminder of the price of being a gossip.