Host Ira Glass and his friend Danielle, whose family says they're eating fish when in fact it's turkey or chicken, for an unusual reason. (3 minutes)

Act One. Duki.

The story of a typical American family, and how their family dynamic has re-organized itself around around an imaginary duck, invented in childhood, who somehow stayed alive well into adulthood. (14 minutes)

Act Two. Winged Warrior.

In the 1960s, the adventures of "The Greatest Crimefighter the World Has Ever Known" — Chickenman — were heard on hundreds of radio stations. On today's show, the winged warrior flies again. Full CD sets of the series are now available online. (5 minutes)

Act Three. Chicken Diva.

Yet another testimony to the power chickens have over our hearts and minds. Jack Hitt reports on an opera about Chicken Little. It's performed with dressed-up styrofoam balls, it's sung in Italian, and it's — no kidding — able to make grown men cry. CDs of the opera Love's Fowl, by Susan Vitucci and Henry Krieger, are available on their website. (14 minutes)


Song: " Finger Lickin' Good," Beastie Boys


Act Four. Trying to Respect the Chicken.

Ira accompanies photographer Tamara Staples as she attempts to photograph chickens in the style of high fashion photography. The chickens are not very cooperative. Her photos have been collected in a book, Fairest Fowl: Portraits of Championship Chickens. (15 minutes)

Song: " Know Your Chicken," Cibo Matto