The Chicken Who Wanted To Fly – A Bedtime Story For Kids

Help your child settle down for sleep with a gentle bedtime adventure about courage, friendship, and learning to appreciate what makes us special.
In this heartwarming story, a little chicken dreams of soaring through the sky like an eagle. Certain that being able to fly would make him happier, he journeys through the forest in search of a wise owl. Along the way, he meets a lively group of animal friends and begins to notice that every creature has its own remarkable abilities.
Created especially for children aged approximately 6–9, this sleep story for children offers a reassuring message about self-acceptance and discovering your own strengths. It is ideal for bedtime, quiet time, or any moment when your child needs a little comfort and encouragement.
Settle in, get cosy, and join the little chicken on a journey that may help your child drift off feeling peaceful, confident, and wonderfully themselves.

Transcript

Good evening. Thanks so much for joining me for tonight's bedtime story. The chicken who wanted to fly. Make yourself comfortable and. . . Enjoy. Once upon a time in a quiet little farm at the edge of a wide green forest. There lived a young chicken named Pip. Pip lived in a warm barn with the other chickens. Every morning he scratched at the straw, Pecked at the grain, And clucked with the rest of the flock. But every afternoon when the sun began to glow golden in the sky. . . Pip would look up. High above the barn, Above the trees, Above the fields, An eagle would glide through the clouds. The eagle barely moved its wings. It seemed to float on the wind, Calm and strong and free. Pipwood. Watch. His eyes were so open. Oh, He whispered, I wish I could fly like that. The other chickens did not understand. Why would you want to fly, Asked one chicken. There's plenty of grain down here. And worms, " said another. And shade, " said a third, Settling comfortably into the straw. But Pip shook his feathers. You do not understand, He said. The eagle is amazing! Everyone looks up at him. I am just a chicken. That night. Pip could not sleep. He kept thinking about the eagle circling high above the farm. The next morning, He went to see the oldest rooster in the barn. The rooster had silver feathers around his neck and a slow, Thoughtful way of blinking. Excuse me, Said Pip. Can you tell me why I cannot fly like an eagle? The old rooster tilted his head. Well, He said, You are a chicken. I know, Said Pip sadly. That is the problem. The old rooster smiled gently. I may feel like a problem now, He said, But perhaps you simply don't. Do not yet understand what kind of bird you are. Pip. So frustrated. Can anyone help me understand? The rooster looked towards the forest. Well, There is an owl who lives in the tallest green tree down there. Some say he knows many things. If anyone can help you. It may be him. Where do I find their mask paper? Well, Let's walk into the forest. Said the rooster, Until you find the great green tree with the hollow trunk. When you get there, Knock on it five times with your beak. And then, Wait. Pip stood up tall. Thank you, " he said. I'm going right now. And before he could lose his courage, Pip slipped out of the barnyard. And walked towards the forest. The forest was cool and full of soft sounds. The leaves whispered above him. Twigs crackled under his feet. Somewhere nearby, He could hear water trickling over stones. After a little while of walking. Pip saw a frog hopping beside a puddle. Hello, Said Pip. Hello, Said the frog. Pip watched as the frog bounced from one patch of moss to another. Wow, Said Pip, You can jump so high. The frog smiled. I suppose I can. I wish I could jump like that, " said Pip. The frog looked surprised. Really? I always thought it was something just frogs do. Well, It looks wonderful to me. Said Pip. The frog blinked. Oh, Where are you going, Riptide? I'm going to find the wise owl, " said Pip. I want him to teach me how to fly like an eagle. "'The wise owl, Rupert, ' said the frog. " I have heard of him. My father once told me that he lives deeper in the forest. Would you like to come with me? " asked Pip. The frog gave a cheerful hop. Yes, Please. So Pip and the frog continued together. Soon a shadow moved across the ground. And Pip looked up. A hawk was circling above them. Well, Well, Well, " called the hawk. What do we have here? Chicken in the forest! I'm going to see the Wise Owl, Said Pip. The hawk laughed. The Wise Owl! And what will you ask him? I'm gonna ask him how to fly. The hawk laughed even louder. You fly your chicken. Chickens belong on the ground. Pip's feathers drooped. The hawk flapped his great wings and flew away, Still laughing. For a moment. . . Pips said nothing. And the frog hopped closer. Come on, " said the frog kindly. We have not reached the hour yet. So they kept going. A little deeper in the forest, They heard rustling in the branches above. Is that the owl? Whispered Pip. But it was not the owl. It was a possum climbing up and down a tree nibbling fruit and balancing carefully on thin branches. The possum climbed down to meet them. Why hello there, Said the possum. Where are you guys going? We're going to see the Wise Owl, Said Pimp. I want to learn how to fly like an eagle. The possum's eyes grew wide. Well, That's a thing to ask. Pip looked up at the branches. You climb so well, " he said. You can go up and down the trees as if the forest was made just for you. The possum shrugged shyly. I never thought of it as much. It's just what I do. Well it looks amazing to me, Said Pip. The possum smiled. Well then, I would like to come too. I've never met a wise owl before. So now Pip, The frog, And the possum. Travel together. The forest grew thicker. The leaves brushed against Pip's feathers. And the path became narrow and twisty. Suddenly. . . Pip stepped on something soft. Ouch! Hiss the Voice. Pip jumped back. From under a pile of leaves stood a long green snake. Kindly remove your foot from my tail, " said the snake. I'm so sorry, Said Pip. The snake lifted his head. And looked at the little group. What are you guys doing in this part of the forest? We're looking for the Wise Owl, " said Pip. I want him to teach me how to fly like an eagle. The snake slowly curled himself into a neat coil. Flying? He said. Interesting. Pip watched the snake glide across the ground. You move so smoothly, " said Pip. You don't even need legs! The snake looked down at himself. I suppose that is true. I wish I could move like that, " said Pip. The snake gave a small smile. And I have sometimes wondered. What it would be like to have wings. Or legs, Or both. Pip blinked. You have? Oh yes, Said the snake. Everyone wonders sometimes. That made Pip feel a little less alone. Would you like to come with us? " he asked. I would, " said the snake. So the chicken, The frog, The possum, And the snake continued deeper into the forest. At last. They came to a clearing. In the middle of the clearing stood the tallest green tree Pip has ever seen. Its branches reached high into the sky. And its trunk was a dark, Round hollow. Well, This must be it, Whispered the frog. Pip took a breath. Then he tapped the tree with his beak. Five. For a moment, Nothing happened. Then. Two golden eyes opened in the hollow. A soft voice said. Who comes knocking at bedtime? Outstip the owl. He was not as large as Pip had imagined. But he had the calmest face Pip had ever seen. Are you the Wise Owl? Asked Pip. The owl blinked slowly. I am the owl, " he said. As for lies. . . I try my best. PIP. Step forward. Please sir, I need your help. I am a bird, But I cannot fly like the eagle. I look up at him every day and I feel small. I do not want to be just a chicken. The owl looked at Pip for a long moment. Then he looked at the frog. The possum, And the snake. Tell me, " said the owl. On your way here, Did you meet anyone interesting? Yes, Said Pip. I met a frog who can jump higher than I ever could. And Possum, Who can climb trees. And Snake, Who can slide through the leaves without making a sound. And what did you think when you saw them? ' asked the owl. I thought they were amazing, " said Pip. The owl nodded. And Did they think they were amazing? Pip looked at his friends. The frog shook his head. The possum shrugged and the snake smiled a little. No. Said Pip quietly. They thought they were just being themselves. Exactly, Said the owl. Frowned. I still cannot fly like the eagle. No. Said the owl gently. You cannot fly like the eagle. And the frog cannot climb like the possum. And the possum cannot slither like the snake. And the snake cannot hop like the frog. Pip looked down at his fate. So what can I do? You can run. Pip blinked. Ron? Yes, " said the owl. You have strong legs. Quick feats and a brave heart. You may not have noticed your gift because you were too busy looking at someone else's. Pip looked at his feet again. There may not have been wings. And there may not have been claws like the eagles. They were just his fate. And go on, " said the owl. Try! Pip took one small step. Than another. Then he ran. At first he felt silly. Then he felt the wind against his feathers. His fate moved faster. Faster over the soft forest floor. The frog hopped after him. But soon fell behind. The possums scramble along a branch, But. . . Could not keep up. The snake slipped through the grass, But Pip was already far ahead. Pip ran around the clearing once, Then twice, Then three times, Laughing as he went, Ha, Ha, Ha, I am fast, He called. I am really, Really fast. And then the hawk appeared above the trees. Wow wow, Called the hawk, Still on the ground little chicken. Pip looked up. For the first time, He did not feel small. I may be on the ground, " he called back. But I bet you cannot catch me! And off he ran. The hawk swooped low. Pip darted left, The hawk turned. Pip darted right, Around the trees, Over the roots. Through the leaves, Pip ran as fast as his little legs could carry him. The Hulk tried once, Then twice, Then three times. At last, The Hulk flapped back up to a branch, Puffing and annoyed. You're a very strange chicken, " said the hawk. Pip smiled. No, He said. I am just beginning to understand what kind of chicken I am. When the sun began to set. Pip thank the owl. Did I give you what you came for? " asked the Elf. Pip thought about it. I came here wanting wings, " he said. But I think. . . You gave me something better. What is that? " asked the owl. Pipsmile. You help me see myself. The owl nodded. That is a very useful thing to see. Pip said goodbye to his new friends. And ran all the way back to the farm. He thanked the old rooster. Then he hurried to the other chickens. Watch this, He called, And he ran across the barnyard faster than any chicken there had ever run before. The other chickens clucked and cheered. That evening Pip looked up and saw the eagle colliding across the orange sky. The eagle was still beautiful. The Eagle was still powerful. But Pip did not feel sad anymore. He watched the eagle fly, And he was happy for him. Then Pip looked down at his own two feet. He gave him a little wiggle. Manny smiled. Because the sky belonged to the eagle. The trees belong to the possum. The pond belongs to the frog. The quiet grass belonged to the snake and the path ahead. Belonged to Pip. So he tucked his wings close, Took a deep breath and ran into the golden evening. The end.

Reviews

This was sweet and adorable! Your "young chicken' impression made me giggle in the middle of the night...🥰❤️

You are a born storyteller, Alex! 🥰
You had me chuckle and smiling from ear to ear. Loved your different voices, particularly the ssssssnake.
I think the moral of your excellent fairytale is: we all are a bit like Pip, envious of others, learning our lessons along the way, but in the end happy with where and who we are.
PS. Kids as well as adults may benefit from this wise tale.