She loved him with all her soul. Truly, in a woman’s way — deeply, tenderly, to the very ache in her heart. He was one of those men you never forget: tall, stately, with noble gray at his temples.
Holding him at night, she whispered to herself, “I’m so lucky… No one else has a love like this.” And he returned her love — in his own way, as a man. Surrounding her with warmth, attention, and affection. Always remembering her, never forgetting the little things, and by that making her happy.
Well, what more do you need for complete happiness, tell me, my dear ones? Exactly — nothing.
When he looked into her eyes, full of tenderness and light, all the day’s fatigue melted away, and his heart filled with calm and certainty that tomorrow would be kind. And softly he said:
— You’re my good little hen…
He would lean toward her and gently kiss her ears. The little hen would snuggle up to him and be happy. Together, they were a whole world. But…
One day he didn’t come back. Simply didn’t come home. His heart stopped on the way from work, when he was hurrying, as always, with burning eyes — to her. The doctors later said: acute heart failure. It happens. The ambulance didn’t make it in time… She started to worry just five minutes after he was late. He was never late!
And then… Then strangers entered their home. Walked through the rooms, looked around, spoke in cold voices. And she understood — he was gone forever. Never coming back. She was left alone.
The little hen was cast out. She sat for a long time on the bench nearby, the very one from which she could see the windows of their apartment. And she quietly cried. Tears ran from her clear eyes, and inside was emptiness. Where to go? Why? Everything that gave her life meaning was gone. Her beloved was gone. And she decided to stay here. To wait until she could be close to him again. Wherever he might be — in hell or in heaven, it no longer mattered.
Because what difference does it make, ladies and gentlemen, when your soul longs for only one thing — for him?
And then a little girl appeared nearby. Small, in a pink dress. She stopped, looked at the little hen, and called her mother:
— Mommy, look, she’s crying! She must be very sad…
The girl came closer, hugged the little hen, and whispered:
— Don’t cry, don’t… I will love you and protect you from anyone.
The woman, her mother, with a tired face and strong hands, looked at the little hen, then at her daughter — and reached into her bag to make space. The little hen anxiously peeked out of the bag, not understanding what was happening. “Where are they taking me? His soul is still there! He will be looking for me…”
And she let out a plaintive cry, even a shriek, as much as she could. The woman stopped, sighed, and gently took her in her arms.
— Everything will be okay, — she promised.
The new home was different. Everything smelled different, the surroundings were unfamiliar. But the little girl in the pink dress followed her everywhere, telling her everything: where things were, what the doll’s name was, why the curtains had flowers.
And at some point, the little hen pressed close to her. Looked into her eyes. Wanted to explain, to tell her how much it hurt inside. The girl didn’t understand the words. But she felt it. She hugged the little hen and quietly said:
— Don’t be afraid. Everything will be okay.
And suddenly the little hen believed.
That night he came to her in a dream. Alive, smiling. She jumped up and ran around the apartment — searching. Crying plaintively. The girl and her mother came running. They lay down beside her. Held her close, stroked her, soothed her. The little hen fell asleep.
And again he came to her in a dream. Whispered familiar words, stroked her head, explained:
— You’re home now. Here, you’re loved. You don’t have to cry anymore. I’m near. I’m waiting for you. And we will definitely meet. Where — it doesn’t matter.
Because when a loving heart awaits you, nothing else matters, does it?
That’s it. The story of the little hen. Now she’s alright. She looks into the eyes of the girl in the pink dress — and sees love. The little hen smiles and tenderly snuggles up to her.
And she imagines that somewhere very close stands He. Looking at her, smiling. And the little hen’s heart begins to purr with happiness…
