Do you remember reading the story of the Little Red Hen? She works so hard at planting wheat, growing it, grinding it into flour, making it into bread dough, and baking it. None of her fellow farm animals would lift a finger (or a paw or hoof) to help her. However, they were all drooling and eager to "help her" eat the bread when came out of the oven piping hot!

 

These animals were just like humans-- wanting to get something for free that they didn't work for. Well, the Little Red Hen wasn't having it. She told them that since she did all the work herself, she would also enjoy it all herself! The story teaches us an important lesson about the value of helping and not being lazy. It also teaches about the value of diligence and the reward of hard work.

 

However, after reading this story as an adult, I realized that there was something sad and incomplete about the character of the Little Red Hen. She understood the value of hard work, but she didn't grasp some key concepts about leadership and inspiring others. She wanted help from others, but she didn't see the gifts in them or communicate to them the value of her project. She failed to find connection or tap into the true value of her barnyard friends. 

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After reading other fables like this, I realized that many of our old fables show us certain truths, but neglect other key concepts. While the values of the past have done a good job getting us where we are, the values of today will bring us into a brighter future. It is a complete set of values that I want to pass along to my kids and this generation of young people-- not to mention a thing or two that we adults can learn from them too. 

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The Little Brown Hen is a new character who comes on the scene to teach old Red a few things about working smarter in business and finding joy in teamwork. Life is not a zero sum game. This delightful story teaches young and old that when we work together, we can achieve exponentially more! 

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The Little Brown Hen is the first publication in our new reFABLED series-- books that revamp old favorite fables and give them new lessons for a new generation. You'll want to subscribe and collect them all for your family and for those you love! 

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- Leigh Sloan