The Hawk and the Chicken's Needle

The Hawk and the Chicken were once the best of friends. The Hawk was a great artist and was sewing a beautiful ceremonial cloak. He broke his last needle and went to the Chicken, who was known to have a fine collection of sharp bone needles. "Friend Chicken," he said, "please lend me your best needle. I will return it tomorrow." The Chicken agreed. However, while the Chicken was out scratching for food, her careless children were playing and lost the needle in the thick dust of the compound. When the Hawk returned, the Chicken could not find the needle. The Hawk was furious. "That was a magic needle!" he lied. "Without it, I cannot finish my work. As payment for your carelessness, I will take your children!" He swooped down and seized a chick. And from that day on, the Hawk has always preyed upon the chickens, collecting the debt for the lost needle. This is also why chickens are always scratching and digging at the ground—they are still desperately searching for the needle to finally pay their debt to the Hawk.