The story “Black Horse or Chicken?” revolves around a retiring farmer who needs to rid his farm of animals before selling his land. He goes around his town, offering different animals to households based on the gender roles in each. To homes where the man is in charge, he gives a horse; to homes where the woman is the boss, he gives a chicken.
At the last house, the farmer asks the couple who is in charge, and the man claims he is. The farmer offers two horses, one black and one brown, and the man initially chooses the black one. However, his wife quickly insists on the brown one. The farmer, in response, gives them a chicken instead. The story humorously highlights the dynamics of household authority.
