At the Tucker's farm, everything hums along nicely as the cows chew their cud, the hens lay their eggs, and the old hound keeps watch over things while stretched out on the porch. Then a peacock comes along and spreads his fancy feathers. Soon people are stopping on the road to take pictures. The family is happy because all this attention means they can sell more tomatoes, corn, eggs, and milk.
Although the humans are happy for their unexpected success, trouble is brewing in the hen house where they complain: "That lazy peacock gets all the attention and we do all the work." Seeing the discontent, the hound dog suggests that the hens and the peacock switch places and see what happens. The results of this experiment are very funny.
The sprightly story by Lester Laminack with illustrations by Henry Cole effectively makes the point that comparisons and jealousy drain the pleasure out of life by making us chase after imagined freedom, fame, and ease. In the end, both the hens and the peacock come to a fresh respect for what they do. Being grateful for who you are and what you can do is the beginning of wisdom.
