Reynard and Chanticleer
by Unknown · from Tales of Laughter: A third fairy book
Adapted Version
Once there was a proud rooster. His name was Chanticleer. He loved to sing every morning. He sang very loudly. He sang on his favorite spot.
A fox came by one day. His name was Reynard. He was tricky. Reynard watched Chanticleer. He had a plan. "Hello, Chanticleer!" said Reynard. "You sing so well! Can you sing with one eye closed?"
Chanticleer was very happy. He felt proud. He liked the nice words. He closed one eye. He sang loud. He did it very well!
"Wow!" said Reynard. "You are so good! But can you sing with both eyes closed? That is very hard. I think you cannot do it."
"I can!" said Chanticleer. He wanted to show Reynard. He wanted to prove he was the best. He closed both eyes. He sang loud. But now he could not see.
Quick! Reynard grabbed Chanticleer. Reynard moved like lightning. He ran to the trees. He held Chanticleer in his mouth. He ran very fast.
Reynard stopped under a big tree. The tree had many leaves. He put Chanticleer down. He was ready to eat him.
Chanticleer was scared. His heart beat fast. But he was smart. He said, "Wait, Reynard! Good animals say a polite thank you first. You must say thank you before you eat."
Reynard wanted to be polite. He thought about his manners. "Oh yes," he said. He opened his mouth to say thank you.
Zoom! Chanticleer flew up high. He flapped his wings hard. He flew into the big tree. He was safe now!
Reynard was very mad. He stomped his feet. He wanted to trick Chanticleer again. He found little sticks. He came back to the tree. "Chanticleer! I have special messages. Can you read them for me?"
Chanticleer was smart now. He remembered Reynard's tricks. He looked down from the tree. "Oh no!" he said. "I see a big dog! He is coming this way!"
Reynard was scared of the big dog. He did not like dogs. He ran away very fast. Chanticleer stayed safe in the tree.
Chanticleer learned a lesson. He was happy to be safe. Do not listen to too much praise. Be smart like Chanticleer!
Original Story
Reynard and Chanticleer
Once on a time there was a cock who stood on a dungheap and crew and flapped his wings. Then the fox came by.
“Good day,” said Reynard. “I heard you crowing so nicely; but you can stand on one leg and crow, and wink your eyes?”
“Oh, yes,” said Chanticleer, “I can do that very well.” So he stood on one leg and crew; but he winked only with one eye, and when he had done that he made himself big and flapped his wings, as though he had done a great thing.
“Very pretty, to be sure,” said Reynard. “Almost as pretty as when the parson preaches in church; but can you stand on one leg and wink both your eyes at once? I hardly think you can.”
“Can’t I, though!” said Chanticleer, and stood on one leg, and winked both his eyes and crew. But Reynard caught hold of him, took him by the throat, and threw him over his back, so that he was off to the wood before he had crowed his crow out, as fast as Reynard could lay legs to the ground.
When they had come under an old spruce fir, Reynard threw Chanticleer on the ground, and set his paw on his breast, and was going to take a bite.
“You are a heathen, Reynard!” said Chanticleer. “Good Christians say grace, and ask a blessing before they eat.”
But Reynard would be no heathen. God forbid it! So he let go his hold, and was about to fold his paws over his breast and say grace—when pop! up flew Chanticleer into a tree.
“You sha’n’t get off, for all that,” said Reynard to himself. So he went away, and came again with a few chips which the woodcutters had left. Chanticleer peeped and peered to see what they could be.
288“What in the world have you there?” he asked.
“These are letters I have just got,” said Reynard. “Won’t you help me to read them, for I don’t know how to read writing?”
“I’d be so happy, but I dare not read them now,” said Chanticleer, “for here comes a hunter. I see him, I see him, as I sit by the tree-trunk.”
When Reynard heard Chanticleer chattering about a hunter, he took to his heels as quick as he could.
So this time Reynard was made game of again!
Story DNA
Moral
Beware of flattery, for vanity can lead to your downfall, and quick wit can save you from danger.
Plot Summary
Reynard the fox encounters Chanticleer the cock, who is proudly crowing. Reynard flatters Chanticleer, challenging him to crow with both eyes closed, which leads to Chanticleer's capture. As Reynard prepares to eat him, Chanticleer cleverly tricks the fox into saying grace, allowing him to escape into a tree. Reynard attempts another deception with 'letters', but Chanticleer, now wary, feigns seeing a hunter, causing Reynard to flee, leaving Chanticleer safe.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to peril to clever escape
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is a variant of a widespread European folk tale, often associated with the Reynard the Fox cycle, which satirizes human foibles through animal characters.
Plot Beats (13)
- Chanticleer, a cock, is proudly crowing on a dungheap.
- Reynard the fox approaches and flatters Chanticleer's crowing, challenging him to crow on one leg and wink one eye.
- Chanticleer, flattered, performs the trick successfully.
- Reynard further flatters Chanticleer, challenging him to crow on one leg and wink both eyes at once, implying he cannot.
- Chanticleer, eager to prove himself, attempts the trick, leaving himself vulnerable.
- Reynard seizes Chanticleer by the throat and carries him off towards the woods.
- Under a spruce fir, Reynard prepares to eat Chanticleer.
- Chanticleer, thinking quickly, tells Reynard that good Christians say grace before eating.
- Reynard, not wanting to be a 'heathen', releases Chanticleer to fold his paws and say grace.
- Chanticleer immediately flies up into a tree, escaping Reynard's grasp.
- Reynard tries another trick, returning with wood chips and claiming they are 'letters' he needs help reading.
- Chanticleer, suspicious, claims to see a hunter approaching.
- Reynard, fearing the hunter, flees, leaving Chanticleer safe in the tree.
Characters
Reynard
A lean, agile fox of average size, with a sleek, reddish-brown coat. His build is wiry and quick, designed for stealth and speed. He has a long, bushy tail tipped with white.
Attire: None, as he is an animal. His natural fur coat serves as his attire.
Wants: To outsmart and capture Chanticleer for a meal, driven by hunger and a desire to prove his cleverness.
Flaw: His vanity and pride in his own cleverness, which makes him susceptible to flattery and distraction.
He fails in his attempts to capture Chanticleer, learning (or perhaps reinforcing) that even the cleverest can be outsmarted.
Cunning, manipulative, deceptive, patient, and somewhat vain about his intelligence.
Chanticleer
A robust, proud rooster with a magnificent, brightly colored plumage. He has strong legs and a sturdy build, suitable for standing on a dungheap and crowing loudly.
Attire: None, as he is an animal. His natural, vibrant plumage serves as his attire.
Wants: To display his vocal and physical prowess, driven by pride and a desire for admiration.
Flaw: His extreme vanity and susceptibility to flattery, which makes him easy to trick.
He learns a valuable lesson about the dangers of vanity and the importance of keeping one's wits about them, even when flattered.
Vain, easily flattered, proud, somewhat gullible, but ultimately quick-witted and resourceful when in danger.
Locations
The Dungheap
A raised mound of organic matter, likely in a farmyard setting, where Chanticleer proudly stands.
Mood: Initially proud and boastful, quickly turning tense and dangerous.
Chanticleer's initial display of crowing prowess and his subsequent capture by Reynard.
Under an Old Spruce Fir
A secluded spot in a forest, beneath the dense canopy of an ancient spruce fir tree. The ground is likely covered with needles and fallen branches.
Mood: Initially menacing and predatory, then shifting to cunning and strategic.
Reynard prepares to eat Chanticleer, but is tricked into saying grace, allowing Chanticleer to escape into the tree.
The Spruce Fir Tree (Chanticleer's Perch)
The upper branches of the old spruce fir tree, providing a safe vantage point for Chanticleer.
Mood: Safe and observant for Chanticleer, frustrating and scheming for Reynard.
Chanticleer outwits Reynard a second time by feigning the arrival of a hunter, causing Reynard to flee.