King Wren
by Unknown · from Tales of Laughter: A third fairy book
Adapted Version
All the birds had a big party. The Cuckoo bird had an idea. The Cuckoo made a big party. Many birds came. Cuckoo said, "Choose a king!" Birds listened. They thought it was a good idea.
The birds liked the idea. They wanted a king. They made a plan. The king must fly highest. This was the first test. All birds agreed.
The next day was sunny. All the birds flew up. They flew very, very high. The Eagle flew the highest. The Eagle was strong. He flew up to the sky.
A Little Bird was also there. It was very, very small. It hid in The Eagle's feathers. Nobody saw The Little Bird. The Eagle came down. Then The Little Bird flew up. It flew higher than The Eagle.
Little Bird chirped, "I am king!" Eagle surprised. All the birds were surprised. They were not happy. They did not like the trick. This was a trick.
The birds wanted a new test. "Who can go deepest?" they asked. "Into the earth!" they said. This was the second test. They wanted a fair test.
The Little Bird was clever again. It saw a mouse-hole. It crept into the hole. It was very deep inside. No other bird could go there. The Little Bird chirped, "I am king!"
The birds were very upset. They said, "Stay in the hole!" Keep it inside. The Owl must watch the hole. The Owl must keep it there all night. The Little Bird cannot leave.
The Owl watched the hole. He watched for a long time. The Owl got very sleepy. He closed one eye. Then he closed the other eye. The Owl fell asleep. The Little Bird ran out.
The Owl felt very bad. He did not watch well. He hides all day now. He flies at night. He looks for mice.
Little Bird said, "I am king!" Hid in hedges. It was very clever. The other birds named it. They called it "Hedge king." They called it Wren.
The little bird was very clever. Being clever can help you! And that is why the little bird is called the Wren. It was a very clever bird! It was the little bird king.
Original Story
King Wren
Once upon a time the cuckoo gave a big tea-party. It was a grand affair, I can tell you. Every bird of note was present, from the eagle down to the sparrow. All the finches were there, the larks, crows, and swallows; so how they managed to seat them all is more than I can tell.
Now, the cuckoo was a wise old bird, and she never took a step of this sort without a reason. You sometimes hear people say, “As silly as a cuckoo,” but you may take my word for it, it is only because they know nothing at all about her.
Well, a bright idea had occurred to the cuckoo, and it was just this: She thought it was high time the birds chose a king of their own. If they had a king, you see, they might in time be able to have a “Court Circular,” which would sound very grand. Besides, who knew but that in the future some of her own family might even marry royalty? Yes, it was a good idea, she thought, but the other birds would have to be consulted first.
So she gave a big tea-party, and fed them all up with the finest worms and dainties to be had, just to put them into a good temper.
Even the hungry sparrow finished eating at last—and you have no idea what his appetite was like!—and then the cuckoo broke the news gently that she thought they ought to have a king to manage their affairs for them.
Now this caused no end of commotion. And there they sat—fathers, mothers, uncles, and cousins, all talking away at the same time.
Just then the cock and hen passed by, taking a little airing.
You must know that they had heard nothing about the teaparty. 173They were just the cock and hen, and it did not matter much what they thought; so they did not get an invitation.
“Wat! wat!” cried the hen, when she heard the dreadful din. Of course the cock understood her language, and knew that she was asking what was going on.
“I’ll find out, my dear,” he answered, and he inquired from a fat, green frog.
“They want to choose a king over the birds,” he told the hen, a minute after.
“Stuff and nonsense!” clucked the hen; only it did not sound quite like that, because she spoke in her own language, you see.
Well, the end of it all was that everybody was in favor of a king, save the plover, and he cried: “I have been free all my life, and I’ll die free!” Then away he flew to a dismal swamp, and was seen no more.
So they agreed to meet again next morning, if it was fine. Their king was to be the bird who could fly higher than all the rest, and they wanted a fine day so that nobody could say afterward, “I could have flown much higher, only it was so windy,” or something of the sort.
The next day was perfect, so they all gathered together in a big meadow. When the cuckoo had counted “Three,” they all rose up with one accord into the air, making such a cloud of dust that for a moment you could not see a thing.
Higher and higher they flew, but one by one the little birds had to give up, and in the end the eagle was the only bird left flying, and he looked as though he had reached the sun itself.
But a tiny little bird had joined them unasked, and he had not even a name.
Nobody noticed him hide himself among the feathers in the eagle’s back; so when the cuckoo had counted three, up he went with the rest, although they did not know it.
Now, when the eagle saw that all the others had given up, he, too, began to descend. Then out flew the little bird without a name, and up he went, much higher still.
174“I am king! I am king!” cried the eagle, when he reached the ground.
“Not at all,” replied the little bird without a name, “for I have flown higher still,” and then down he came.
“I am king! I am king!” he chirped, as soon as he got his breath again.
“You crafty little creature!” they shouted, with one voice. “We will have another test, and a fair one this time.”
So the bird who could fall deepest into the earth was to be their king, they said.
Well, the cock set to work and began to grub a hole in the ground, while the duck jumped down into a grave; but unluckily she sprained her foot, and she waddled off, saying: “Bad work! Bad work!”
But the little bird without a name crept right into a mouse-hole, and cried shrilly:
“I am king! I am king!”
“Then we will show you how we treat our royalty!” cried the angry birds. “We will keep you in the mouse-hole and starve you.”
So they set the owl to keep watch over the hole during the night, and if he let the bird go he was to be put to death on the spot. The others were all so tired and weary that they flew home and went to bed.
Now, when he had stared into the hole for two whole hours, the poor owl began to feel very sleepy. So he went to sleep with one eye and watched intently with the other, and all went well for a time. But as luck would have it, when he shut one eye, after a while, he forgot to open the other, and you may be sure the little bird without a name soon made his escape from his prison.
After that the poor owl never dared show his face again by day, for fear the birds should put him to death. He flies about all night long, and he is a great enemy of the little mice because they make such—to him—unfortunate holes.
As for that little bird without a name, he did not feel very 175safe either, so he always hid in the hedges, and when he felt pretty secure he would cry out: “I am king! I am king!”
In time the other birds grew to call him the “Hedge king,” just for scorn, and that means “Wren.” That is how he came by his name.
Story DNA
Moral
Cleverness and cunning can sometimes achieve more than brute strength or conventional methods, but may also lead to isolation.
Plot Summary
The cuckoo hosts a tea-party where birds decide to choose a king based on who can fly highest. A tiny, unnamed bird outsmarts the eagle by hiding in its feathers and then flying even higher. When the angry birds propose a second test—who can go deepest into the earth—the tiny bird again wins by hiding in a mouse-hole. Enraged, the birds imprison the tiny bird, guarded by a sleepy owl, allowing the clever bird to escape. The tiny bird, forever proclaiming its kingship from the hedges, becomes known as the Wren, while the owl is shamed into nocturnal hunting.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anticipation to frustration to grudging acceptance
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale explains the origin of the wren's name and its behavior, as well as the owl's nocturnal habits, common in many European folk traditions.
Plot Beats (11)
- The cuckoo hosts a large tea-party for all birds, proposing they choose a king.
- The birds agree, deciding the king will be the one who can fly highest.
- On a clear day, all birds fly up, with the eagle reaching the highest point.
- A tiny, unnamed bird, having hidden in the eagle's feathers, emerges and flies even higher than the eagle.
- The tiny bird declares itself king, much to the other birds' anger and frustration.
- The birds propose a second test: who can fall deepest into the earth.
- The tiny bird outsmarts them again by hiding in a mouse-hole and proclaiming itself king.
- Enraged, the birds decide to imprison the tiny bird in the mouse-hole and starve it, assigning the owl to guard.
- The owl, becoming sleepy, accidentally closes both eyes, allowing the tiny bird to escape.
- The owl, shamed, never shows its face by day and hunts mice at night.
- The tiny bird, still proclaiming its kingship from the hedges, is scornfully named the 'Hedge king' or Wren.
Characters
The Cuckoo
A large, plump bird with a distinctive grey-blue plumage on her back and head, and barred white and grey underparts. She has a strong, slightly curved beak and intelligent, dark eyes. Her build suggests a comfortable, well-fed existence.
Attire: Natural plumage of a cuckoo bird.
Wants: To establish a bird monarchy, primarily for her own family's social advancement and to create a 'Court Circular' for prestige.
Flaw: Her ambition can lead her to overlook fairness or the true needs of the community.
Remains consistent in her role as an organizer and instigator, but her initial plan for a fair king is subverted.
Wise, manipulative, strategic, hospitable, ambitious.
The Wren (formerly 'The little bird without a name')
A tiny, very small bird, much smaller than most other birds, with a compact, rounded body. Its feathers are a mottled brown, providing excellent camouflage in hedges. It has a short, slender beak and beady, quick eyes.
Attire: Natural plumage of a wren, mottled brown.
Wants: To become king of the birds, despite its small size, and to prove its cleverness.
Flaw: Its small size makes it vulnerable to larger birds and physical challenges; its trickery can lead to isolation.
Transforms from an anonymous, ambitious trickster into the 'Hedge king' (Wren), gaining a name but also becoming a reclusive figure due to its past actions.
Crafty, cunning, ambitious, persistent, resourceful, a bit of a trickster.
The Eagle
A majestic and powerful bird, very large with broad wings and a formidable presence. Its feathers are dark brown, with a lighter, golden-brown head and neck. It has piercing, keen eyes and a strong, hooked beak. Its talons are large and sharp, indicative of its predatory nature.
Attire: Natural plumage of an eagle, dark brown body with golden-brown head.
Wants: To become king of the birds through sheer physical prowess and natural dominance.
Flaw: His overconfidence and lack of cunning make him vulnerable to trickery.
Starts as the clear front-runner for king, but is ultimately humiliated and outsmarted, losing his claim.
Proud, strong, confident, easily outsmarted by cunning, somewhat arrogant.
The Owl
A large, nocturnal bird with soft, mottled brown and grey feathers, providing excellent camouflage at night. It has a flat face with very large, round, forward-facing eyes, typically yellow or orange, which are highly adapted for low light. Its head can swivel almost all the way around. It has a short, hooked beak.
Attire: Natural plumage of an owl, mottled brown and grey.
Wants: To fulfill his duty of guarding the Wren, but ultimately driven by the need for sleep.
Flaw: His overwhelming sleepiness, especially during the night.
Starts as a diligent guard, but his natural sleepiness leads to his failure. He then becomes a reclusive, nocturnal figure, forever shamed and an enemy of mice.
Diligent (initially), sleepy, easily distracted, regretful, reclusive.
The Cock
A proud and colorful bird, with glossy, iridescent feathers, often red, green, and black. He has a prominent red comb on his head and wattles under his chin. His tail feathers are long and arching. He has strong legs and sharp spurs.
Attire: Natural plumage of a rooster, glossy and colorful.
Wants: To understand what is happening and to participate in the king-choosing contest, despite not being invited to the initial party.
Flaw: His pride can make him overlook his limitations.
Remains consistent, attempting to prove himself but ultimately failing in the 'deepest fall' contest.
Proud, inquisitive, somewhat pompous, tries to be helpful.
The Hen
A plump, domestic bird with soft, usually brown or reddish-brown feathers. She has a smaller red comb and wattles than the cock. Her body is rounded, and her legs are sturdy. She appears practical and grounded.
Attire: Natural plumage of a hen, typically brown or reddish-brown.
Wants: To understand the commotion and express her opinions.
Flaw: Can be dismissive of ideas she deems 'nonsense'.
Remains consistent, expressing her opinions but not directly participating in the contests.
Curious, skeptical, practical, opinionated.
The Plover
A medium-sized wading bird with long legs and a relatively short beak. Its plumage is typically mottled brown and white, providing camouflage in its marshy habitat. It has large, dark eyes.
Attire: Natural plumage of a plover.
Wants: To maintain his freedom and avoid any form of governance.
Flaw: His staunch independence leads to self-imposed exile.
Makes a single, decisive statement and exits the story, choosing exile over submission.
Independent, freedom-loving, defiant.
The Duck
A plump, aquatic bird with a broad, flat bill and webbed feet. Its feathers are typically green on the head, white collar, and grey-brown body. It has a distinctive waddling gait.
Attire: Natural plumage of a duck, green head, white collar, grey-brown body.
Wants: To participate in the contest, but quickly deterred by injury.
Flaw: Her clumsiness on land and susceptibility to injury.
Attempts to participate in the 'deepest fall' contest but injures herself and withdraws, complaining.
Eager (initially), clumsy, prone to injury, complaining.
Locations
Cuckoo's Tea-Party Venue
A festive, open-air gathering space, likely a clearing or a large, flat area suitable for many birds to congregate and be served dainties. The atmosphere is initially convivial and bustling with conversation.
Mood: Lively, social, then boisterous and argumentative
The cuckoo proposes the idea of choosing a king, leading to much commotion and the initial agreement for a flying contest.
The Big Meadow
A vast, open grassy field, perfect for a flying contest, where all the birds can gather and ascend into the sky without obstruction. The day is described as 'perfect' for flying.
Mood: Anticipatory, competitive, then surprising
The birds hold their first contest to choose a king by flying highest, where the Wren cleverly hides on the eagle's back.
The Mouse-Hole Prison
A small, dark opening in the earth, barely large enough for a tiny bird to hide in, but too small for larger birds to enter. It becomes the Wren's temporary prison.
Mood: Tense, confined, watchful, then sleepy
The Wren hides in the mouse-hole to win the 'deepest fall' contest, is then trapped by the angry birds, and eventually escapes due to the owl's sleepiness.
The Hedges
Dense, tangled shrubbery or hedgerows, providing excellent cover and hiding places for a small bird. This becomes the Wren's permanent, safe haven.
Mood: Secretive, safe, but also a place of defiant proclamation
The Wren hides in the hedges after escaping, proclaiming his kingship from safety, leading to his eventual name 'Hedge king' or 'Wren'.