“Rooster” that’s not a rooster

Once upon a time, on a farm, there was a rooster who was always so proud of his beautiful feathers and loud morning calls. However, one day, a wise old hen asked him, “Do you think that being a rooster is all about crowing and looking good?” The rooster replied with arrogance, “Of course! What else could it be?”

The hen then said, “Well, have you ever considered my role on the farm?” The rooster scoffed, “You’re just a hen, what do you do other than lay eggs?”

The hen replied with a mischievous glint in her eye, “I’ll tell you what I do. I lay eggs, just like you crow, but I also do something that you cannot. I can be a rooster when there is no rooster around.”

The rooster was puzzled, “What do you mean?”

The hen explained, “When the farmer needs a rooster to mate with the hens, I step up and fill the role. I become a “rooster” that’s not a rooster.”

The rooster was impressed, “I had no idea that hens could do that!”

From that day on, the rooster had a newfound respect for the hens on the farm, especially the ones who stepped up to play the role of a rooster. And that, my friend, is why the answer to the crossword clue “Rooster“” that’s not a rooster is HEN.