Chook Chook Read Online Free PDF Page A

past the crowd.
    It was the woman with the fur coat, only now the precious coat hung off her shoulders, the hem dragging on the floor. Her hair, which had been tied into a neat bun, was now loose and wild around her face. And she was screaming and pointing.
    Silk scarves, fancy hats, pretty dresses and print skirts, even some frilly underwear, were spilling out onto the floor where the woman’s bag had burst open. A sparkly jewellery box lay cracked on its side and strings of pearls, golden bangles and silver earrings bounced along the ground.
    And right there in the middle of it all were Little and Lo, strutting about, as happy as two chooks could be.
    BAWK! BAWK! BA-KAW!
    I stifled a giggle. Little had a string of pearls around her neck and a white hat with a pale blue ribbon perched on her rump. A pair of underpants was tangled up in Lo’s beautiful black tail feathers and he had a light pink scarf draped over his wings. When he scratched the floor, I could hear a metallic ting where a few rings were caught around his feet.
    â€˜Monsters! Filthy, awful monsters. Get away!’ the woman with the fur coat screeched, waving her arms about. The gawking crowd and the shouting were making my chooks nervous and they flapped about in a flurry of feathers and fabric. The woman took a step backwards and tripped over the hem of her coat, which sent her sprawling onto the floor.
    I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Little tossed her head up and bobbed frantically, tossing her pearl-lined neck and flapping her wings. A light-blue handkerchief floated up into the air and landed on the woman’s face. She shook her head violently and shrieked so loudly I had to cover my ears.
    â€˜Make way, make way!’ Two tough-looking security guards were pushing through the crowd. They were waving clubs and one had a whistle in his mouth.
    I had to get my chooks out and fast. I saw the tip of Lo’s flowing tail disappearing under a pile of scarves and grabbed for it. He let out a mighty crow and clawed furiously as I pulled him back, sending feathers and jewels sailing through the air, but I gnashed my teeth and held on.
    â€˜Seize her! She’s a thief, her and those filthy animals.’ The woman was shouting and pointing at me now.
    One of the guards grabbed me roughly by the arm. ‘Let go!’ I tried to pull free.
    The other guard spied Little among the clothes. He got on his hands and knees and crawled over to her as she thrashed about.
    â€˜Don’t hurt her!’ I cried.
    He managed to catch hold of her. Poor Little was crying out – I could tell she was scared.
    â€˜Please, she didn’t mean any harm.’ I looked around desperately and spotted Cap. I called out to him.
    He turned and started to come towards me. Then he froze.
    â€˜Cap!’ I struggled, but the guard’s grip was firm. I pleaded with my eyes.
    But Cap backed away, shaking his head.
    â€˜Cap, help me!’ He was gone and the guard was dragging me towards the station office.
    â€˜Officer, wait please,’ came a gentle voice. It was the old woman. I sighed with relief as she hobbled over on her cane. ‘Please officer, she’s only a child and the animals are her pets. I’m sure this was just a misunderstanding.’
    â€˜She’s a little thief is what she is.’ The woman in the coat had gotten up, wisps of dirt and dust clinging to the soft fur. She raised a finger towards me, her nails painted blood-red and filed into sharp points. Her voice was a sinister cackle as she said, ‘A pesky orphan. She tried to pickpocket me on the platform. I caught her red-handed.’
    There were a few murmurs through the crowd.
    Tears welled up in my eyes. ‘No, it was – it was an accident. I’d just gotten off the train . . .’
    The officer holding my arm tightened his grip. ‘The train? Where are your parents, girl?’
    â€˜I’m meeting my brother. He’s in