FABLE XCIII
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
Once there was a big Rooster. He looked for food with his friends. He was a young Rooster. He had some Little Hens with him. They walked on a big dirt pile. They looked for yummy food. The sun was warm. The day was bright. They were hungry. The Rooster scratched the dirt. The Little Hens scratched too. They wanted to eat.
The Rooster scratched the dirt. He found something new. It was a small stone. The stone was very shiny. It sparkled in the sun. It had many bright colors. It was a strange thing. He had never seen one. It shone like a star. The Rooster looked at the Shiny Stone. He moved his head. He did not know this stone. It was very bright.
The Rooster did not know the stone. He did not know it was special. He did not know it was good. He did not know its worth. He felt confused. He did not understand it. He wanted to seem smart. He hid his true feelings. He wanted to hide this. He did not want to look silly. He acted like he did not care. He did not like the Shiny Stone.
The Rooster made a funny face. He moved his wings up. He moved his wings down. He shook his head slowly. He looked at the Shiny Stone. He did not want the bad stone. He puffed out his chest. He stood very tall. He turned his beak away. He made a loud cluck. He looked very proud.
The Rooster spoke to the Shiny Stone. "You are a nice thing," he said. "You are not for me. I do not need you. He did not need shiny things. He needed food to eat. He needed grains. He needed seeds. He did not want it. He had no use for it. He wanted something else. He wanted food.
"I like food more," he said. "I like one barley grain. Barley is better than stones. He liked barley much. He did not like the Shiny Stone. It was not food. He wanted a full belly. He wanted tasty food. The stone was not tasty. He left it behind. He turned his back. He walked away from it. The Little Hens walked with him. They looked for more food.
Rooster did not know it was special. He liked food more. Sometimes, we do not know what is good.
Original Story
FABLE XCIII.
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.
A brisk young Cock, in company with two or three pullets, raking upon a dunghill for something to entertain them with, happened to scratch up a jewel, which sparkled with an exceeding bright lustre; but, not knowing what to do with it, endeavoured to cover his ignorance under a look of contempt. So, shrugging up his wings, shaking his head, and putting on a grimace, he expressed himself to this purpose: "Indeed, you are a very fine thing, but I know not what business you have here. I make no scruple of declaring that my taste lies quite another way, and I had rather have one grain of dear delicious barley than all the jewels under the sun."
MORAL.
We should not despise as worthless what does not come within the limit of our understanding. Some lose what is truly valuable for want of knowledge, and prefer what is comparatively worthless.
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.
Story DNA
Moral
We should not despise as worthless what does not come within the limit of our understanding. Some lose what is truly valuable for want of knowledge, and prefer what is comparatively worthless.
Plot Summary
A cock, while foraging with his pullets, unearths a brilliant jewel. Unaware of its true worth, he attempts to mask his ignorance with a show of contempt. He then declares that he would much rather have a single grain of barley than all the jewels in the world, thus dismissing a valuable discovery for something common and familiar.
Themes
Emotional Arc
ignorance to missed opportunity
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables often served as teaching tools, conveying wisdom or social norms through simple animal stories.
Plot Beats (6)
- A brisk young Cock, with several pullets, is raking through a dunghill.
- He happens to scratch up a jewel that sparkles brightly.
- Not knowing what the jewel is or its value, the Cock tries to hide his ignorance.
- He puts on a contemptuous look, shrugging his wings and shaking his head.
- The Cock declares that the jewel is a 'fine thing' but he has no use for it.
- He states his preference for a single grain of barley over all the jewels in the world.
Characters
The Cock
A robust and energetic rooster, of average size for his species, with strong legs and sharp talons suitable for scratching. His body is covered in glossy, iridescent feathers.
Attire: Natural plumage: a mix of deep red, fiery orange, and metallic green feathers on his body, with a long, flowing tail of black and iridescent blue-green feathers. His wings are broad and powerful.
Wants: To find food (barley) for himself and his pullets, and to maintain his perceived status and knowledge within his small flock.
Flaw: Ignorance and a narrow-minded perspective. He cannot appreciate value beyond his immediate needs and understanding, leading him to dismiss true worth.
He remains unchanged, failing to recognize the true value of the jewel and reinforcing his own limited worldview.
Proud, dismissive, practical, somewhat ignorant, and self-assured. He values tangible, immediate gratification over abstract beauty or potential wealth.
The Jewel
A small, hard, crystalline object, likely a gemstone, with multiple facets that catch and reflect light. It possesses an inherent, brilliant sparkle.
Wants: N/A
Flaw: Its value is only recognized by those with the knowledge to appreciate it; it is powerless to assert its own worth.
It is discovered and then dismissed, its fate after the encounter with the Cock is left ambiguous but likely remains on the dunghill, unappreciated.
Inanimate, but represents inherent value and beauty. It is passive, simply existing in its valuable state.
The Pullets
Two or three young hens, smaller and less ornate than the Cock, with soft, less vibrant plumage. They are of average size for their species.
Attire: Natural plumage, likely a muted brown, grey, or speckled pattern, typical of farmyard hens. Their feathers are smooth and functional.
Wants: To find food and remain part of the flock, following the lead of the dominant rooster.
Flaw: Lack of independent thought or initiative; they rely on the Cock's decisions.
Remain unchanged, simply observing the Cock's interaction with the jewel.
Submissive, observant, and followers. They seem to accept the Cock's judgment without question.
Locations
The Dunghill
A large, mounded pile of refuse and organic matter, likely composed of straw, manure, and discarded food scraps, situated in a farmyard environment. It is a place where chickens forage.
Mood: mundane, earthy, bustling with animal activity
The Cock, while foraging with pullets, scratches up a valuable jewel but dismisses its worth.