The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HEN AND WILDCAT

AFRICAN CHILDREN'S GAME. NO. OF PLAYERS: 5 OR MORE.
FORMATION AND ACTION: ONE PLAYER IS CHOSEN AS THE HEN
AND ANOTHER AS THE WILDCAT. THE REST OF THEM ARE
CHICKENS. THE HEN LEADS THE CHICKENS AROUND AND
WARNS THEM OF ANY APPROACHING DANGER. THE WILDCAT HIDES
HIMSELF. AT UNEXPECTED TIMES AND PLACES, HE SPRINGS
OUT AND TRIES TO CATCH ANY FOOLISH CHICKEN WHO FAILS
TO DROP TO THE GROUND AT THE MOTHER HEN'S WARNING. THIS
MAY CONTINUE UNTIL ALL CHICKENS ARE CAUGHT, OR A NEW
HEN AND A NEW WILDCAT MAY BE CHOSEN WHENEVER A CHICKEN
IS CAUGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-11-1972