- Variations of the Chicken Little story have been around for hundreds of years in various countries. In many versions, the chicken believes the sky is falling because an acorn fell on its head, but the story is really about making light of mass hysteria and paranoia. As such, it seems an apt way to describe the exaggerated reactions that are now prevalent in our political systems. A classic example, I would suggest, can be found in the over-the-top nearly hysterical reaction of the federal Conservative Party to the news that the NDP and Liberals have reached an agreement that will ensure continued NDP support until 2025.