Little Tuppen
by Unknown · from Tales of Laughter: A third fairy book
Adapted Version
Cluck-cluck and Tuppen are in the woods. Tuppen is a little chick. They look for berries. Tuppen eats a blueberry. The berry sticks in his throat. Tuppen falls down. He cannot breathe. Cluck-cluck is very scared. She runs to get water.
Cluck-cluck runs to the Spring. "Dear Spring," she says. "Give me water for Tuppen." The Spring says, "I give water. Bring a cup."
Cluck-cluck runs to the Oak-tree. "Dear Oak-tree," she says. "Give me a cup. Spring needs a cup." The Oak-tree says, "I give a cup. Shake my branches."
Cluck-cluck runs to Maid Marian. "Dear Maid Marian," she says. "Shake the Oak-tree. Oak-tree needs shaking." Maid Marian says, "I shake the tree. Give shoes."
Cluck-cluck runs to the Shoemaker. "Dear Shoemaker," she says. "Give me shoes. Maid Marian needs shoes." The Shoemaker says, "I give shoes. Bring leather."
Cluck-cluck runs to Moo-moo the ox. "Dear Moo-moo," she says. "Give me leather. Shoemaker needs leather." Moo-moo says, "I give leather. Bring me corn first."
Cluck-cluck runs to the Farmer. "Dear Farmer," she says. "Give me corn. Moo-moo needs corn." The Farmer says, "I give corn. Bring a plow."
Cluck-cluck runs to the Blacksmith. "Dear Blacksmith," she says. "Give me a plow. Farmer needs a plow." The Blacksmith says, "I give a plow. Bring me iron first."
Cluck-cluck runs to the Dwarfs. "Dear Dwarfs," she says. "Give me iron. Blacksmith needs iron." The Dwarfs see her sadness. They feel sorry for her. They give her much iron.
Cluck-cluck takes the iron. She gives iron to the Blacksmith. The Blacksmith is happy. He gives a plow to Cluck-cluck.
Cluck-cluck takes the plow. She gives plow to the Farmer. The Farmer is happy. He gives corn to Cluck-cluck.
Cluck-cluck takes the corn. She gives corn to Moo-moo. Moo-moo is happy. He gives leather to Cluck-cluck.
Cluck-cluck takes the leather. She gives leather to the Shoemaker. The Shoemaker is happy. He gives shoes to Cluck-cluck.
Cluck-cluck takes the shoes. She gives shoes to Maid Marian. Maid Marian is happy. She shakes the Oak-tree.
The Oak-tree gives a cup. Cluck-cluck takes the cup. She gives cup to the Spring. The Spring is happy. It gives water to Cluck-cluck.
Cluck-cluck runs back to Tuppen. She gives water to Tuppen. Tuppen drinks the water. He feels much better. He chirps and runs. Cluck-cluck is very happy. She saved her chick!
Cluck-cluck did not give up. She asked for help. She saved Tuppen. It is good to be strong. It is good to ask for help.
Original Story
Little Tuppen
One day an old hen whose name was Cluck-cluck went into the woods with her little chick Tuppen to get some blueberries to eat. But a berry stuck fast in the little one’s throat, and he fell upon the ground, choking and gasping. Cluck-cluck, in great fright, ran to fetch some water for him.
She ran to the Spring and said: “My dear Spring, please give me some water. I want it for my little chick Tuppen, who lies choking and gasping under the blueberry-bush in the green woods.”
The Spring said: “I will give you some water if you will bring me a cup.”
Then Cluck-cluck ran to the Oak-tree and said: “Dear Oak-tree, please give me a cup. I want it for the Spring; and then the Spring will give me water for my little chick Tuppen, who lies choking and gasping under the blueberry-bush in the green woods.”
The Oak-tree said: “I will give you a cup if some one will shake my branches.”
Then Cluck-cluck ran to Maid Marian, the wood-cutter’s child, and said: “Dear Maid Marian, please shake the Oak-tree’s branches; and then the Oak-tree will give me a cup, and I will give the cup to the Spring, and the Spring will give me water for my little chick Tuppen, who lies choking and gasping under the blueberry-bush in the green woods.”
The wood-cutter’s child, Maid Marian, said: “I will shake the Oak-tree’s branches if you will give me some shoes.”
Then Cluck-cluck ran to the Shoemaker and said: “Dear Shoemaker, please give me some shoes. I want them for Maid Marian, the wood-cutter’s child; for then Maid Marian will 359shake the Oak-tree’s branches, and the Oak-tree will give me a cup, and I will give the cup to the Spring, and the Spring will give me water for my little chick Tuppen, who lies choking and gasping under the blueberry-bush in the green woods.”
The Shoemaker said: “I will give you some shoes if you will give me some leather.”
Then Cluck-cluck ran to Moo-moo, the ox, and said: “Dear Moo-moo, please give me some leather. I want it for the Shoemaker; for then the Shoemaker will give me some shoes, and I will give the shoes to Maid Marian, and Maid Marian will shake the Oak-tree’s branches, and the Oak-tree will give me a cup, and I will give the cup to the Spring, and the Spring will give me water for my little chick Tuppen, who lies choking and gasping under the blueberry-bush in the green woods.”
The ox, Moo-moo, said: “I will give you some leather if you will give me some corn.”
Then Cluck-cluck ran to the Farmer and said: “Dear Farmer, please give me some corn. I want it for Moo-moo, the ox; for then the ox will give me some leather, and I will give the leather to the Shoemaker, and the Shoemaker will give me shoes, and I will give the shoes to Maid Marian, and Maid Marian will shake the Oak-tree’s branches, and the Oak-tree will give me a cup, and I will give the cup to the Spring, and the Spring will give me water for my little chick Tuppen, who lies choking and gasping under the blueberry-bush in the green woods.”
The Farmer said: “I will give you some corn if you will give me a plow.”
Then Cluck-cluck ran to the Blacksmith and said: “Dear Blacksmith, please give me a plow. I want it for the Farmer; for then the Farmer will give me some corn, and I will give the corn to the ox, and the ox will give me leather, and I will give the leather to the Shoemaker, and the Shoemaker will give me shoes, and I will give the shoes to Maid Marian, and Maid Marian will shake the Oak-tree’s branches, and the Oak-tree will give me a cup, and I will give the cup to the Spring, 360and the Spring will give me water for my little chick Tuppen, who lies choking and gasping under the blueberry-bush in the green woods.”
The Blacksmith said: “I will give you a plow if you will give me some iron.”
Then Cluck-cluck ran to the busy little dwarfs who live under the mountains, and have all the iron that is found in the mines. “Dear, dear dwarfs,” she said, “please give me some of your iron. I want it for the Blacksmith; for then the Blacksmith will give me a plow, and I will give the plow to the Farmer, and the Farmer will give me corn, and I will give the corn to the ox, and the ox will give me leather, and I will give the leather to the Shoemaker, and the Shoemaker will give me shoes, and I will give the shoes to Maid Marian, and Maid Marian will shake the Oak-tree’s branches, and the Oak-tree will give me a cup, and I will give the cup to the Spring, and the Spring will give me water for my little chick Tuppen, who lies choking and gasping under the blueberry-bush in the green woods.”
The little dwarfs who live under the mountains had pity on poor Cluck-cluck, and they gave her a great heap of red iron-ore from their mines.
Then she gave the iron to the Blacksmith, and the plow to the Farmer, and the corn to the ox, and the leather to the Shoemaker, and the shoes to Maid Marian; and Maid Marian shook the Oak-tree, and the Spring got the acorn cup, and Cluck-cluck carried it full of water to her little chick Tuppen.
Then little Tuppen drank the water, and was well again, and ran chirping and singing in the long grass as if nothing had happened to him.
Story DNA
Moral
Perseverance and the willingness to ask for help can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.
Plot Summary
While gathering blueberries, a little chick named Tuppen chokes on a berry, prompting his mother, Cluck-cluck, to seek water from the Spring. The Spring, however, demands a cup, initiating a long chain of requests where each character Cluck-cluck approaches requires something from another before they will help. This escalating quest leads her through an Oak-tree, Maid Marian, a Shoemaker, an ox, a Farmer, and a Blacksmith, until she finally reaches benevolent dwarfs who provide the initial item (iron) without a condition. This act allows the entire chain of favors to be fulfilled in reverse, ultimately providing Cluck-cluck with the water needed to save her chick, who quickly recovers.
Themes
Emotional Arc
fear to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Chain tales or cumulative tales are common across many cultures, often used for teaching memory or demonstrating interconnectedness.
Plot Beats (16)
- Cluck-cluck and her chick Tuppen are in the woods, and Tuppen chokes on a blueberry.
- Cluck-cluck runs to the Spring for water, but the Spring demands a cup.
- Cluck-cluck asks the Oak-tree for a cup, but the Oak-tree demands someone shake its branches.
- Cluck-cluck asks Maid Marian to shake the Oak-tree, but Maid Marian demands shoes.
- Cluck-cluck asks the Shoemaker for shoes, but the Shoemaker demands leather.
- Cluck-cluck asks Moo-moo the ox for leather, but the ox demands corn.
- Cluck-cluck asks the Farmer for corn, but the Farmer demands a plow.
- Cluck-cluck asks the Blacksmith for a plow, but the Blacksmith demands iron.
- Cluck-cluck asks the dwarfs for iron, and they, taking pity, provide it.
- Cluck-cluck gives the iron to the Blacksmith, who gives her the plow.
- Cluck-cluck gives the plow to the Farmer, who gives her the corn.
- Cluck-cluck gives the corn to the ox, who gives her the leather.
- Cluck-cluck gives the leather to the Shoemaker, who gives her the shoes.
- Cluck-cluck gives the shoes to Maid Marian, who shakes the Oak-tree.
- The Oak-tree provides a cup, which Cluck-cluck gives to the Spring, receiving water.
- Cluck-cluck brings the water to Tuppen, who drinks it and recovers fully.
Characters
Cluck-cluck
A plump, medium-sized hen with soft, ruffled golden-brown feathers. Her legs are scaly and yellow, ending in three-toed feet. She has a sturdy, determined build, constantly moving with a sense of urgency.
Attire: Natural feathers, no clothing.
Wants: To save her chick, Tuppen, from choking.
Flaw: Her overwhelming anxiety and fear for her child can make her appear frantic.
She starts in a state of panic and through her journey, demonstrates immense perseverance, ultimately succeeding in her goal.
Determined, loving, persistent, anxious, resourceful.
Tuppen
A tiny, fluffy yellow chick, small enough to fit in a human hand. His body is soft and downy, with delicate, thin legs.
Attire: Natural downy feathers, no clothing.
Wants: Survival, to be well again.
Flaw: Fragile and dependent on his mother.
Starts in a life-threatening situation, is saved, and returns to his playful self.
Innocent, vulnerable, cheerful (after recovery).
Maid Marian
A young, slender wood-cutter's child, likely with a sturdy build from helping with chores. Her skin might be slightly tanned from outdoor work.
Attire: Simple, practical peasant clothing suitable for a child in a woodland setting. A coarse linen smock or dress, possibly with a plain apron, and sturdy, worn wooden clogs or simple leather shoes.
Wants: To receive shoes, then to help Cluck-cluck.
Flaw: Her initial reluctance to help without a reward.
She participates in the chain of help, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the community.
Helpful, practical, transactional (initially), kind.
The Shoemaker
A middle-aged man, perhaps a bit stooped from years of working over a bench. His hands would be strong and calloused from handling leather and tools.
Attire: A sturdy, practical leather apron over a simple linen shirt and trousers, typical of a craftsman. His clothes would show signs of wear and tear, perhaps with leather dust or stains.
Wants: To acquire leather for his craft, then to help Cluck-cluck.
Flaw: His need for raw materials before providing his service.
He provides his service as part of the chain, highlighting the interdependence of trades.
Industrious, practical, transactional.
Moo-moo
A large, strong ox with a broad back and powerful legs. His coat is a rich, earthy brown, and his hide is thick and sturdy.
Attire: Natural hide, no clothing.
Wants: To receive corn, then to provide leather.
Flaw: His dependence on the farmer for food.
He participates in the chain of exchange, representing the animal contribution to human needs.
Patient, strong, transactional.
The Farmer
A sturdy, weathered man, likely with a strong build from working the land. His hands would be rough and calloused.
Attire: Simple, practical peasant clothing: a coarse linen shirt, sturdy wool trousers, and worn leather boots. Perhaps a wide-brimmed straw hat for sun protection.
Wants: To acquire a plow for his fields, then to provide corn.
Flaw: His need for tools to do his work effectively.
He participates in the chain of exchange, representing the agricultural foundation of the community.
Hardworking, practical, transactional.
The Blacksmith
A strong, muscular man with broad shoulders and powerful arms, indicative of his physically demanding trade. His skin might be smudged with soot.
Attire: A heavy leather apron over a simple, sturdy tunic and trousers. His clothes would be dark and durable, stained with soot and grease.
Wants: To acquire iron for his forge, then to provide a plow.
Flaw: His dependence on raw materials for his craft.
He participates in the chain of exchange, representing the industrial aspect of the community.
Strong, skilled, practical, transactional.
The Dwarfs
Small, stout figures with sturdy builds, accustomed to mining. Their skin might be pale from living underground, or ruddy from exertion. They are typically depicted with long beards.
Attire: Practical mining attire: sturdy leather or thick wool tunics and trousers, often with heavy boots and perhaps a simple cap or helmet. Their clothes would be stained with earth and ore.
Wants: To mine iron, and to show compassion for Cluck-cluck's plight.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but they are moved by pity.
They show compassion and provide the crucial first step in the chain of help.
Industrious, pitying, generous (once moved).
Locations
Blueberry Bush in the Green Woods
A dense, verdant forest clearing, likely in a temperate European region, with a prominent blueberry bush under which little Tuppen lies choking. The ground is covered in green foliage and possibly fallen leaves or moss.
Mood: Initially frantic and desperate, later relieved and joyful.
Tuppen chokes on a blueberry, initiating Cluck-cluck's quest for water. Later, Tuppen recovers here.
The Spring
A natural water source, likely a small, clear spring bubbling up from the ground, surrounded by lush vegetation. It's a vital source of fresh water in the woods.
Mood: Calm, essential, a place of potential help.
Cluck-cluck first requests water here, but is told she needs a cup.
The Oak-tree
A large, mature European oak tree, likely with a wide, strong trunk and extensive branches, providing shade and acorns. Its branches are sturdy enough to require shaking for a cup.
Mood: Sturdy, ancient, a source of natural resources.
Cluck-cluck requests a cup here, which the Oak-tree offers if its branches are shaken. Maid Marian later shakes it.
Dwarfs' Mountain Mine
A subterranean dwelling and mine, carved into the heart of a mountain, where industrious dwarfs extract iron-ore. The environment would be dark, rocky, and filled with the raw materials of mining.
Mood: Mysterious, industrious, a place of hidden wealth and ancient craft.
Cluck-cluck makes her final request for iron here, and the dwarfs provide it, setting off the chain of events that saves Tuppen.