PUSS OVERHEARS A PROPOSAL AND IS INVITED TO A WEDDING
by David Cory
Adapted Version
Do you know Jenny Wren? She is a little brown bird. She loves to sing. She loves to dance! Jenny sings a sweet song. Her voice is clear. She dances on a branch. Her tiny feet tap. She twirls and she hops. She is a happy little bird. Everyone loves Jenny.
Robin Redbreast saw Jenny. He watched her dance. He heard her sweet song. He liked her very much. Robin felt very happy. "Will you marry me, Jenny?" he asked. "I will give you pretty dresses. You can have a gold dress. A shiny gold dress."
A little cat named Puss was walking by. He had soft fur. He had green eyes. He stopped and listened. Puss stood very still. He heard Robin's words. Puss heard Jenny's answer.
Jenny smiled a happy smile. Her heart felt warm. "Yes, I will marry you, Robin," she said. "I will be your wife. But I like my brown feathers. They are soft. They are pretty. I do not want a gold dress. I like to look like me. My own self."
Robin still wanted a gold dress. "She needs a pretty gold dress!" said Robin. He looked at Puss. Puss was very quiet. "What do you think, Puss?" Robin asked.
Puss spoke in a kind voice. He looked at Jenny. "Jenny looks nice as she is," he said. "Her brown feathers are pretty. They are perfect. A gold dress is not Jenny. It would hide her."
Jenny agreed with Puss. She nodded her head. "Yes, I want to look like me!" Jenny said. "I love my brown feathers. I do not want a gold dress. I want to be Jenny Wren. Just Jenny Wren."
Robin understood then. He smiled at Jenny. "You are right!" he said. "I love you just the way you are! You are my only bird. My sweet Jenny Wren."
Jenny smiled a big, happy smile. Her heart sang. She was very happy. Robin loved her. He loved her brown feathers.
"Tomorrow is our wedding day!" said Robin. "We will have a big party. Puss, you can come to our party!" Puss purred softly. They were all very happy. It was a happy day.
Original Story
PUSS OVERHEARS A PROPOSAL AND IS INVITED TO A WEDDING
It was a merry time,
When Jenny Wren was young, So neatly as she danced, And so sweetly as she sungโ
Robin Redbreast lost his heart; He was a gallant bird; He doffed his hat to Jenny, And thus to her he said:
"My dearest Jenny Wren, If you will but be mine, You shall dine on cherry pie, And drink nice currant wine."
"I'll dress you like a goldfinch, Or like a peacock gay; So if you'll have me, Jenny, Let us appoint the day."
While on his journey Puss, Jr., paused to listen to this sweet song. On a branch above him sat Robin Redbreast. With his hat held in one claw he bowed most beautifully to a little wren that sat on a limb just below him. "I'll dress you like a goldfinch," repeated Robin, swinging his beautiful green hat with its long black feather up and down in the breeze.
Jenny blushed behind her fan, And thus declared her mind: "Then let it be to-morrow, Bob; I'll take your offer kind.
"Cherry pie is very good, So is currant wine; But I'll wear my russet gown, And never dress too fine."
"I'd like to buy her a beautiful gold dress," said Robin Redbreast, turning to look at Puss, Jr., who stood very quietly at the foot of the tree.
"I think her little russet gown is much nicer," replied Puss. "To tell you the truth, she wouldn't look very much like a wren if you dressed her like a goldfinch."
"Of course I wouldn't," chirruped little Jenny Wren; "and, besides, I wouldn't feel at all like myself. I might think Robin had married a goldfinch instead of me; and I don't want to think that."
"Of course you don't," said Puss, kindly.
"You are both right," said Robin Redbreast. "I only thought for the moment that she would like a different gown, but she shall have her way. There is only one little bird in the world for me, and that is Jenny Wren."
Jenny hid her face behind her fan, for she was I blushing very hard. Indeed, her cheeks were I almost as red as Robin's breast.
"To-morrow, then, shall be our wedding-day," said Robin, "and you are invited, my dear Puss, Junior."
---
Moral of the Story
True love values authenticity over superficial adornment.
Characters
Jenny Wren ★ protagonist
A small, delicate wren, known for her neat dancing and sweet singing. Her feathers are primarily a soft, earthy russet brown, giving her a modest and natural appearance. She is petite and graceful.
Attire: Prefers her simple 'russet gown,' which refers to her natural russet-brown plumage. She explicitly states she will wear this and 'never dress too fine,' indicating a preference for natural, unadorned beauty.
Wants: To find a loving partner and maintain her authentic self. She desires happiness and a comfortable life, but not at the expense of her identity.
Flaw: Can be easily flustered or shy, as evidenced by her blushing and hiding behind her fan.
She accepts a marriage proposal, affirming her identity and values in the process. She remains true to herself.
Sweet, modest, practical, self-aware, and charming. She values her identity and comfort over superficial finery.
Robin Redbreast ◆ supporting
A gallant and handsome robin, distinguished by his bright red breast. He is a sturdy but elegant bird, with a confident demeanor.
Attire: His natural plumage, specifically his iconic red breast. He also wears a 'beautiful green hat with its long black feather,' which he doffs and swings.
Wants: To win Jenny Wren's affection and marry her. He wants to provide for her and make her happy.
Flaw: Can be a bit superficial in his initial ideas of what would make Jenny happy, focusing on outward appearances.
He learns to appreciate Jenny Wren's authentic self over superficial adornments, confirming his love for her as she is.
Romantic, generous, slightly flamboyant, eager to please, and ultimately understanding. He is a suitor who wants to lavish his beloved with gifts.
Puss, Jr. ◆ supporting
A quiet and observant cat, likely sleek and agile, as he is able to pause unnoticed. His fur color is not specified, but he is described as 'Puss, Jr.,' suggesting a lineage or a youthful version of a classic 'Puss' character.
Attire: None specified, as he is a cat. His fur is his 'attire'.
Wants: To listen and offer thoughtful commentary when appropriate, acting as a voice of reason.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but as a cat, his natural predatory instincts are subtly subverted by his kindness towards birds.
Acts as a catalyst for Robin Redbreast's realization about Jenny Wren's true desires, facilitating the happy resolution of the proposal.
Observant, kind, wise, and diplomatic. He offers gentle, sensible advice without being intrusive.
Locations
Forest Clearing / Under a Tree
A sun-dappled clearing in a temperate European forest, likely with deciduous trees like oak or beech. The ground is covered with fallen leaves and possibly some undergrowth. A prominent tree with sturdy branches serves as the stage for the birds' interaction.
Mood: Joyful, romantic, peaceful, and a little whimsical.
Robin Redbreast proposes to Jenny Wren, Puss, Jr. overhears and is invited to the wedding.
Story DNA
Moral
True love values authenticity over superficial adornment.
Plot Summary
Robin Redbreast proposes to Jenny Wren, promising her a life of luxury and beautiful dresses. Puss, Jr. overhears the proposal. Jenny accepts but expresses her preference for her simple russet gown. Robin discusses his desire to dress Jenny like a goldfinch with Puss, Jr., who, along with Jenny, convinces Robin that Jenny's natural appearance is best. Robin agrees, reaffirming his love for Jenny as she is, and invites Puss, Jr. to their wedding the next day.
Themes
Emotional Arc
joy to contentment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is a short, charming anecdote, likely drawn from or inspired by traditional nursery rhymes and folk tales featuring anthropomorphic animals.
Plot Beats (10)
- Jenny Wren, a young bird, is known for her dancing and singing.
- Robin Redbreast, smitten, proposes to Jenny, promising her cherry pie, currant wine, and dresses like a goldfinch or peacock.
- Puss, Jr. pauses his journey and overhears Robin's proposal and lavish promises.
- Jenny Wren blushes and accepts Robin's kind offer, but states her preference for her simple russet gown over fine dresses.
- Robin Redbreast, still keen on dressing Jenny finely, turns to Puss, Jr. and expresses his wish to buy her a beautiful gold dress.
- Puss, Jr. replies that Jenny's russet gown is much nicer and that she wouldn't look like a wren if dressed as a goldfinch.
- Jenny Wren agrees, stating she wouldn't feel like herself and Robin might think he married a goldfinch.
- Robin Redbreast acknowledges they are both right and declares that Jenny shall have her way, as she is the only bird for him.
- Jenny blushes deeply, her cheeks as red as Robin's breast.
- Robin announces that tomorrow will be their wedding day and invites Puss, Jr. to attend.
