It was a sorry affair. Chicken was sick and tired of all the ‘Why did the chicken cross the road?’ jokes. But the joke was firmly on him. A few days before, he had spotted a large, juicy grape on the pavement opposite to the one upon which he stood. Chicken liked grapes. He didn’t eat them much, but enjoyed them as an occasional treat if he were lucky enough to find one stray.

Chicken had (at least) made it across the road. It wasn’t like the unfortunate incident of his friend, Chuck, who had failed to tie his shoelace and tripped just before the traffic light went green. The less said about that particular incident, the better. But in his own case, Chicken felt very silly admitting to anyone the true story of what had happened to him after he had crossed the road…

Remembering what had happened to Chuck, Chicken made sure to only cross when the pedestrian light turned green. He sensibly proceeded, cocking his head left and right, forward and back, bawking happily as he made to claim his prize. When he reached the bright green globule, he attempted to peck it, but the ovoid form rolled around. Chicken was not used to egg management. He left that task to his wife. So when the grape started rolling, he flapped and chased it. He made to peck it once more, but again it began to roll away.

Agitated, Chicken flapped and continued to chase the grape. He clucked repeatedly in frustration, his happy bawking tune long since abandoned. The grape continued to roll in the commotion caused by Chicken’s flapping wings. Finally, with much persistence, he caught it under his right foot. But instead of steadying his green prize, he slipped backwards and landed hard on his other leg. He squawked in pain and outrage. His leg now injured and his pride hurt, Chicken hobbled away, the grape no longer appealing to him. His appetite had gone.

Chicken had hoped he could have avoided questioning, but due to his injury he had no option but to use a walking stick to get around. The other chickens laughed, for several of them had witnessed the incident. Even though they also typically found the question offensive, Chicken was mocked forevermore by his flock who could often be heard clucking, “Hey, Chicken! Why did you cross the road?!”