SMEREREE
by Sophia Morrison · from Manx Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
A little chicken lived in a green garden.
Little Chicken was under an apple tree. An apple fell down. It made a loud thud. It hit Little Chicken on the head. Little Chicken felt a big bump. Little Chicken thought, "Oh dear! The world has fallen! We must tell everyone!" He saw Speckled Hen. "We must go to Rome!" he said. "The world has fallen!" Speckled Hen asked, "Who told you the world fell?" Little Chicken said, "It fell on my head, Smereree!" Speckled Hen believed him. She looked very worried. She walked with Little Chicken. They hurried along the path.
They met Cock. Cock was pecking for worms. "Where do you go?" Cock asked. "To Rome! The world has fallen!" said Speckled Hen. Cock asked. "Who told you?" "Chicken." Cock joined them. They walked along the road. They met Gander. Gander was swimming in a pond. "Where do you go?" Gander asked. "To Rome! The world has fallen!" Cock said. Gander flapped his wings. Gander joined them. They walked on. They met Bull. Bull was eating green grass. "Where do you go?" Bull asked. "To Rome! The world has fallen!" Gander said. Bull nodded his big head. Bull joined them. They walked together. They met Goat. Goat was climbing a small hill. "Where do you go?" Goat asked. "To Rome! The world has fallen!" Bull said. Goat jumped down. Goat joined them. They walked quickly. They met Horse. Horse was running in a field. "Where do you go?" Horse asked. "To Rome! The world has fallen!" Goat said. Horse neighed loudly. Horse joined them. Now they were a big group.
All the friends walked a very long way. They walked and walked for many hours. They saw a huge, big house. It was Giant's house. The giant was not home. The friends went inside quietly. Horse hid under a big, sturdy table. Bull hid under a heavy dresser. Goat hid on the tall stairs. Little Chicken, Speckled Hen, Cock, and Gander found other spots. Giant came home. He opened the door with a loud creak. The friends shouted! They flapped their wings! They stomped their feet! They made a very big noise. Cock crowed very loudly. He flapped his wings fast. He flapped near Giant's face. Giant was very surprised. Giant was very scared. He screamed. He ran far, far away. He did not come back to his house. The friends were safe. They lived in the big house. They were happy together. They had a new home.
Original Story
SMEREREE
The speckled hen and the little chicken were scratching under an apple tree in the garden, and an apple fell off the tree and it hit the little chicken on the head. And says he to the speckled hen:
‘Let us go to Rome, for the world has fallen.’
‘Who said that to you, little chicken?’ said the speckled hen.
‘It fell on my head, Smereree!’
Then the speckled hen and the little chicken went their ways until they met the cock.
‘Where are you going, speckled hen?’ said the cock.
‘Going to Rome, for the world has fallen,’ said the speckled hen.
‘Who said that to you, speckled hen?’
‘The little chicken said it to me.’
‘Who said that to you, little chicken?’
‘It fell on my head, Smereree!’
So they went their ways together until they met a gander.
‘Where are you going, cock?’ said the gander.
‘Going to Rome, for the world has fallen.’
‘Who said that to you, cock?’ said the gander.
‘The speckled hen said it to me.’
‘Who said that to you, speckled hen?’
‘The little chicken said it to me.’
‘Who said that to you, little chicken?’
‘It fell on my head, Smereree!’
So they went all together until they met a bull.
‘Where are you going, gander?’ said the bull.
‘Going to Rome, for the world has fallen.’
‘Who said that to you, gander?’
‘The cock said it to me.’
‘Who said that to you, cock?’
‘The speckled hen said it to me.’
‘Who said that to you, speckled hen?’
‘The little chicken said it to me.’
‘Who said that to you, little chicken?’
‘It fell on my head, Smereree!’
So they went all together until they met a goat.
‘Where are you going, bull?’ said the goat.
‘Going to Rome, for the world has fallen,’ said the bull.
‘Who said that to you, bull?’ said the goat.
‘The gander said it to me.’
‘Who said that to you, gander?’
‘The cock said it to me.’
‘Who said that to you, cock?’
‘The speckled hen said it to me.’
‘Who said that to you, speckled hen?’
‘The little chicken said it to me.’
‘Who said that to you, little chicken?’
‘It fell on my head, Smereree!’
So they all went together until they met a horse.
‘Where are you going, goat?’ said the horse.
‘Going to Rome, for the world has fallen.’
‘Who said that to you, goat?’
‘The bull said it to me.’
‘Who said that to you, bull?’
‘The gander said it to me.’
‘Who said that to you, gander?’
‘The cock said it to me.’
‘Who said that to you, cock?’
‘The speckled hen said it to me.’
‘Who said that to you, speckled hen?’
‘The little chicken said it to me.’
‘Who said that to you, little chicken?’
‘It fell on my head, Smereree!’
So they all went travelling together until they came to the house of the giant; they went in the house and the giant was from home. So the horse went under the big table, and the bull went under the dresser, and the goat went on the stairs, and all the rest in the corners.
When the giant came home, they all went at him at once, and there was heavy war between them.
‘Calk! Calk! If I come down to you,’ said the cock.
He came down at last and picked the giant’s eyes out, and they killed him, and they all lived in his house together.
And if they are not dead, they are living there yet.
Story DNA
Moral
Misinformation can spread rapidly, but sometimes a shared delusion can lead to unexpected collective strength.
Plot Summary
A little chicken is hit by a falling apple and mistakenly believes the world has fallen, prompting it to declare a journey to Rome. It convinces a speckled hen to join, and as they travel, they encounter a cock, a gander, a bull, a goat, and a horse, each joining the expedition after hearing the same chain of misinformation. The group eventually finds refuge in a giant's house, and when the giant returns, they collectively attack and kill him, subsequently living in his house together.
Themes
Emotional Arc
fear to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Sophia Morrison was a Manx cultural preservationist, collecting and publishing Manx folklore in the early 20th century. This story reflects the oral tradition of the Isle of Man.
Plot Beats (13)
- A little chicken is hit on the head by a falling apple.
- The chicken mistakenly believes 'the world has fallen' and tells a speckled hen they must go to Rome.
- The speckled hen questions the chicken, who replies 'It fell on my head, Smereree!', and joins the chicken.
- The hen and chicken meet a cock, who asks where they are going and why, and after hearing the same explanation, joins them.
- The growing group meets a gander, who joins after the same exchange.
- The group meets a bull, who joins after the same exchange.
- The group meets a goat, who joins after the same exchange.
- The group meets a horse, who joins after the same exchange.
- All the animals travel together until they reach a giant's house.
- They enter the giant's house while he is away and hide.
- When the giant returns, all the animals attack him simultaneously.
- The cock, in particular, pecks out the giant's eyes.
- The animals kill the giant and take over his house, living there happily ever after.
Characters
The Little Chicken ★ protagonist
A very small, fluffy yellow chick, still with soft down feathers. Its body is round and delicate, with tiny, spindly legs and a small beak. It is particularly small and vulnerable.
Attire: None, as it is a chicken.
Wants: To escape what it perceives as the end of the world, to find safety.
Flaw: Extreme naivety and fear, leading it to misinterpret simple events.
Begins as a terrified, naive creature, but through its unwavering (though mistaken) belief, it leads a group of animals to overcome a true threat, becoming a catalyst for their survival.
Naive, easily frightened, gullible, persistent, surprisingly influential.
Image Prompt & Upload
A very small, fluffy yellow chick, still with soft down feathers, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It has a tiny, round head with bright black eyes and a soft yellow-orange beak. A small, faint red mark is visible on the top of its head. Its posture is slightly startled but determined. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Speckled Hen ◆ supporting
A plump, medium-sized hen with a coat of brown and white speckled feathers. Her comb is a vibrant red, and her wattle is prominent. She has strong, scaly yellow legs and sharp claws for scratching.
Attire: None, as she is a chicken.
Wants: Initially to protect the little chicken, then to follow the group to safety.
Flaw: Susceptible to panic and easily swayed by the conviction of others, even if illogical.
Begins as a skeptical but caring figure, then becomes a follower in the collective journey, contributing to the group's strength.
Maternal, cautious, easily convinced, loyal, follows the lead of others once persuaded.
Image Prompt & Upload
A plump, medium-sized hen with a coat of brown and white speckled feathers, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a vibrant red comb and wattle, and bright, observant black eyes. Her beak is a sturdy yellow-orange. Her posture is alert and slightly inquisitive. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Cock ◆ supporting
A proud and striking rooster with iridescent green-black tail feathers, rich red-gold hackle feathers, and a large, bright red comb and wattle. He has strong, scaly yellow legs and sharp spurs.
Attire: None, as he is a rooster.
Wants: To maintain his dignity, then to join the group's quest for safety.
Flaw: His pride can make him slow to accept new ideas, but he eventually succumbs to group pressure.
Begins as a leader in his own domain, then becomes a follower, but ultimately reclaims a leadership role in the final battle, proving his bravery.
Proud, initially skeptical, easily convinced by the group's momentum, brave when challenged.
Image Prompt & Upload
A proud rooster with iridescent green-black tail feathers, rich red-gold hackle feathers, and a large, bright red comb and wattle, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has strong, scaly yellow legs with visible spurs and alert, confident black eyes. His posture is commanding, chest puffed out. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Gander ◆ supporting
A large, imposing gander with pristine white feathers, a long, elegant neck, and strong, orange webbed feet. His beak is a bright orange.
Attire: None, as he is a gander.
Wants: To understand the perceived threat and join the group for safety.
Flaw: Relies on the information of others, rather than independent verification.
Joins the growing procession, becoming another link in the chain of belief and collective action.
Observant, cautious, follows the group's consensus, capable of aggression when necessary.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, imposing gander with pristine white feathers, a long, elegant neck, and strong, orange webbed feet, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has intelligent, beady black eyes and a bright orange beak. His posture is alert and slightly wary. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Bull ◆ supporting
A massive, powerful bull with a thick, muscular body covered in dark brown fur. He has formidable, curved horns and a large, snorting nose. His hooves are heavy and dark.
Attire: None, as he is a bull.
Wants: To join the collective journey, perhaps sensing a shared purpose or threat.
Flaw: Relies on the information of others, rather than independent verification.
Adds significant physical presence and power to the growing group, becoming a formidable part of their collective strength.
Strong, stoic, follows the group's momentum, capable of immense force.
Image Prompt & Upload
A massive, powerful bull with a thick, muscular body covered in dark brown fur, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has formidable, curved horns and a large, snorting nose. His deep-set, dark eyes convey a stoic expression. His posture is heavy and deliberate. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Goat ◆ supporting
A sturdy goat with shaggy, light brown fur, a short beard, and sharp, spiraled horns. Its legs are agile, and its hooves are cloven.
Attire: None, as it is a goat.
Wants: To join the collective journey, perhaps out of curiosity or a sense of shared purpose.
Flaw: Relies on the information of others, rather than independent verification.
Adds its unique agility and presence to the growing group, contributing to their diverse capabilities.
Curious, agile, follows the group's lead, resourceful.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy goat with shaggy, light brown fur, a short beard, and sharp, spiraled horns, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It has a narrow face with intelligent, slit-pupil eyes. Its posture is alert and ready, with agile legs. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Horse ◆ supporting
A large, powerful horse with a sleek, dark brown coat, a flowing black mane, and a long, swishing black tail. Its legs are strong and muscled, and its hooves are sturdy.
Attire: None, as it is a horse.
Wants: To join the collective journey, perhaps out of loyalty or a sense of shared destiny.
Flaw: Relies on the information of others, rather than independent verification.
The final and largest addition to the animal procession, completing their collective force and providing a strategic hiding place.
Noble, strong, follows the group's lead, contributes significant power.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, powerful horse with a sleek, dark brown coat, a flowing black mane, and a long, swishing black tail, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It has a long, noble face with large, intelligent dark eyes. Its posture is graceful and strong, head held high. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Giant ⚔ antagonist
An enormous, hulking figure of immense size and strength. His skin is rough and weathered, possibly with a greenish or grayish tint, indicating a life of outdoor exposure. His build is brutish and powerful, with thick limbs and a heavy torso.
Attire: Simple, oversized, and roughly made garments, likely of coarse animal hides or thick, undyed wool. Perhaps a tunic and trousers, or a single, belted hide, showing signs of wear and tear, possibly stained.
Wants: To live undisturbed in his home, to defend his territory from intruders.
Flaw: Vulnerable to coordinated attacks, especially targeting his senses (eyes). Overconfidence due to his size.
Introduced as a looming threat, he is ultimately defeated by the collective cunning and bravery of the small animals, demonstrating that size is not always superior to wit.
Brutish, solitary, easily angered, perhaps dim-witted, territorial.
Image Prompt & Upload
An enormous, hulking male figure of immense size and brutish strength, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has rough, weathered greenish-gray skin, a heavy brow, and small, beady dark eyes. His nose is broad and flattened, and his lips are thick. He has coarse, dark, unkempt hair and a scraggly beard. He wears a simple, oversized tunic made of coarse, undyed wool, belted at the waist, and rough trousers. His posture is slightly hunched but powerful. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Farm Garden
A rustic garden with an apple tree, likely part of a small farmstead in a rural European setting, possibly Isle of Man given the story's origin. The ground is suitable for scratching hens.
Mood: peaceful, mundane, suddenly alarming
The little chicken is hit by a falling apple, initiating the journey to Rome.
Image Prompt & Upload
A gnarled apple tree with red apples still clinging to its branches, stands in a sun-dappled, overgrown garden. The ground beneath is a mix of short grass and exposed earth, with a few fallen leaves and a single bright red apple resting near the base of the trunk. Soft morning light filters through the leaves, creating dappled shadows on the ground. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Rural Road/Path
A simple, unpaved path or road winding through the countryside, where the animals meet each other sequentially. It suggests a journey through open, natural landscapes.
Mood: journey, camaraderie, growing anticipation
The animals gather one by one, all agreeing to go to Rome because 'the world has fallen'.
Image Prompt & Upload
A well-trodden dirt path meanders through a gently rolling, green countryside, flanked by wild grasses and occasional thorny bushes. In the distance, a line of deciduous trees forms a soft horizon under a clear, bright daytime sky. The path itself is uneven, with small stones and patches of bare earth. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Giant's House
A large, imposing house, disproportionately sized for humans, suggesting a dwelling built for a giant. It contains oversized furniture like a 'big table' and a 'dresser', and features a staircase. The architecture would be rustic and robust, perhaps resembling a large, ancient stone or timber farmhouse common in European folklore, but on a massive scale.
Mood: eerie, tense, ultimately triumphant
The animals hide, ambush the giant upon his return, and ultimately defeat him, claiming his house as their new home.
Image Prompt & Upload
The interior of a colossal, rustic house, with rough-hewn timber beams supporting a high ceiling and thick, uneven stone walls. A massive, dark wooden table dominates the center of the room, its surface scarred and worn. In one corner, an enormous, heavy wooden dresser stands against the wall, and a wide, creaking timber staircase ascends into shadow. Dust motes dance in the shafts of dim light filtering through unseen windows. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.