Cheerful Chick

SPEAKER_1 (0:01)

This is Believe, One Network, Every Topic, Everywhere.

Lisa Bueno (0:07)

Okay, our friends, so today, I'm in the mood for something cute. I'm in the mood for something sweet.

I'm going to read you a book because I relate to this character and don't try to stop me, I'm going to do it.

SPEAKER_3 (0:23)

Today's story is called Cheerful Chick.

Lisa Bueno (0:26)

That's right, Cheerful Chick. And it was written by Martha Brackenbach, and it's illustrated by Brian Juan.

And it's read today by Mommy and...

Philip (0:41)

Philip.

Lisa Bueno (0:42)

Philip in the house. And I hope that all of you can be as inspired by this little chickita as I am and get out there and do what you need to do.

So without any further adieu, here we go.

Philip (1:02)

Cheerful chick.

Lisa Bueno (1:05)

Once inside a chicken's nest, a dozen eggs, all Grade A best, lay still and warm, their content sleeping.

All but one who came out peeping. And there she is, my friends, an artist has beautifully rendered this lovely little chick. But she's not just any chick. Oh no, this chick has got pom poms and a cheerleader costume on. She doesn't just jump out of her shell, she bounces, bounds out of her shell. This son chick loved to cheer, though grownups groaned when she came near. She needs to understand. We're busy, and her cheering makes us dizzy.

Ooh, they are grumpy. But is that gonna, do you think it's gonna ruin our little chick's day?

Well, cheerful chick worked day and night until at last her moves felt right. And then she hatched her lifelong dream to build a barnyard cheering team. She got her muscles good and warm and did her moves with perfect form.

So, guess what she's gonna do? Watch this. Side splits, wing stands, super punches, chicken shook her feathers bunches. Then, because her dream was big, she made her pitch to Mr. Pig.

SPEAKER_3 (2:51)

When I say three, yell P-I-G. This fellow's jumps a tree to say P-I-G.

Lisa Bueno (3:00)

She's cheering, right? She's so excited. She's so happy. She's so full of life. The pig, on the other hand, um, how do I put this?

Philip (3:09)

He's eating. He's full.

Lisa Bueno (3:11)

Yeah, he's in the middle of something. He looks a little bit frustrated. Mr. Pig, often grumpy because his slaps were cold and lumpy, flicks his tail and said, Shove off. I'm very busy at my trough.

Oh well.

SPEAKER_3 (3:28)

Chick shrugged her wings. I bet Mrs. Cow would like to do some cheering now.

Lisa Bueno (3:33)

And so we can see jumping Mrs. Cow with her 100% organic fresh milk. And so here comes Chick.

SPEAKER_3 (3:44)

Mrs. Cow knows all the wildest moves. Just watch her stand on her two front hooves.

Lisa Bueno (3:52)

Mrs. Cow is also in the middle of a snack. And does she look excited about this, Cher? Mrs. Cow just stood and blinked and chewed and said, I'm not in the mood. And so without another peep.

Chick went in search of Mr. Sheep. Oh, that's gonna be a win, I know for sure, right? Cause sheep are usually happy, right? So here comes her cheer.

SPEAKER_3 (4:32)

Now come on, farm gang, don't be drips. Let's count to 10 as sheep does flips.

Lisa Bueno (4:38)

It looks like sheep might be up for it. He's jumped up on the fence. He's jumped up on the fence and he's got his hands in the air. But when she counted, Mr. Sheep did not do flips.

He fell asleep.

Poor chicken hung her little head, her tiny heart filled up with dread. In the barn stood one last choice. She needed time to find her voice. Okay. So who's left do you think?

Philip (5:18)

I think it's maybe horse.

Lisa Bueno (5:23)

The horse? Yeah.

SPEAKER_3 (5:26)

Now, snap your beak and stomp your feet because high horse, high kicks can't be beat.

Lisa Bueno (5:32)

She is trying. But you see, here's the thing.

Not everybody knows how to deal with cheerleaders and happy bubbly people. Okay? Mrs. Horse just stared at Chick, who felt as though she might be sick. She touched her wings as if to pray, and Mrs. Horse responded, Nay!

Chick gave it everything she could, but nothing did her any good. She chucked her pom poms in the trough, and then she ripped her sweater off because no one cared about her dream, and no one wanted on her team. She whispered so that none could hear, Who am I if I cannot cheer? But what she hasn't noticed, my friends, and if you're following along in the book and you're turning the pages as we read them, then you'll notice what's going on here, because she was only one egg that hatched, but there were other eggs, right? And they hatched, and the other chicks have been following her along this whole time, right? And watching her, right? And learning from her.