COCK ROBIN
by Unknown · from The National Nursery Book: With 120 illustrations
Adapted Version
Oh dear, what happened to Cock Robin? He is lying very still. He does not move. Who made Cock Robin fall down?
I, said the Sparrow. With my bow and arrow. I shot my arrow. It flew so fast. Cock Robin fell down. It was an accident. I did not mean to hurt him. I am very sad.
Who saw him fall down? I, said the Fly. With my little eye. I saw him fall down. I saw it all.
Who caught his feather? I, said the Fish. With my little dish. I caught a little feather. It floated down.
Who will carry him? I, said the Kite. If it is not night. I will carry him. To his soft bed. I will be gentle.
Who will carry the light? I, said the Linnet. I will fetch it fast. I will carry the light. It will show the way. For his special goodbye.
Who will make his blanket? I, said the Beetle. With my thread and needle. I will make his soft blanket. It will be very soft.
Who will dig his bed? I, said the Owl. With my spade and shovel. I will dig his soft bed. A quiet place.
Who will ring the bell? I, said the Bull. Because I am strong. I will ring the bell. It will sound clear. For his special goodbye.
Who will say kind words? I, said the Rook. I will say kind words. Who will sing a song? I, said the Lark. I will sing a song. A soft and sweet song.
Who will say goodbye? I, said the Dove. I loved Cock Robin. I loved him very much. I will say goodbye. With a heavy heart.
Who will sing a gentle song? I, said the Thrush. I sat in a bush. I will sing a gentle song. A song of comfort.
All the birds felt sad. They heard the bell ring. They felt sad for Cock Robin. They all said goodbye. They were together. They helped each other. They shared their sorrow.
Original Story
COCK ROBIN.
Who killed Cock Robin?
I, said the Sparrow,
With my bow and arrow.
I killed Cock Robin.
THE SPARROW, COCK ROBIN, AND THE FISH.
THE LINNET, THE DOVE, AND COCK ROBIN.
Who saw him die?
I, said the Fly,
With my little eye.
I saw him die.
Who caught his blood?
I, said the Fish,
With my little dish.
I caught his blood.
Who'll carry him to the grave?
I, said the Kite,
If it's not in the night.
I'll carry him to the grave.
Who'll carry the link?
I, said the Linnet,
I'll fetch it in a minute.
I'll carry the link.
THE KITE AND COCK ROBIN.
THE OWL, THE BEETLE, AND COCK ROBIN.
Who'll make his shroud?
I, said the Beetle,
With my thread and needle.
I'll make his shroud.
Who'll dig his grave?
I, said the Owl,
With my spade and shovel.
I'll dig his grave.
Who'll toll the bell?
I, said the Bull,
Because I can pull.
I'll pull the bell.
THE BULL TOLLING THE BELL
THE ROOK AND THE LARK
Who'll be the Parson?
I, said the Rook,
With my little book.
I'll be the Parson.
Who'll be the Clerk?
I, said the Lark,
If it's not in the dark.
I'll be the Clerk.
Who'll be chief mourner?
I, said the Dove,
For I mourn for my love.
I'll be chief mourner.
Who'll sing a psalm?
I, said the Thrush,
As she sat in a bush.
I'll sing a psalm.
THE THRUSH.
SIGHING AND SOBBING FOR POOR COCK ROBIN.
All the birds of the air
Fell a-sighing and sobbing
When they heard the bell toll
For poor Cock Robin.
Story DNA
Moral
Even in death, there is a communal responsibility to honor the deceased and ensure justice is served.
Plot Summary
Cock Robin is found dead, prompting an inquiry into his killer. The Sparrow confesses to the act, and then various animals step forward to take on specific roles in the funeral preparations, from witnessing the death to digging the grave and tolling the bell. The story culminates in a communal mourning for Cock Robin by all the birds of the air, highlighting themes of death, responsibility, and community.
Themes
Emotional Arc
shock to sorrow
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is a traditional English nursery rhyme, often used to teach children about death and community roles in a gentle, ritualistic way. The 'bow and arrow' suggests a hunting context, but the focus quickly shifts to the communal response to death.
Plot Beats (13)
- The story opens with the question, "Who killed Cock Robin?"
- The Sparrow confesses to killing Cock Robin with his bow and arrow.
- The question shifts to who saw him die, and the Fly claims to have witnessed it.
- The Fish states it caught Cock Robin's blood in a dish.
- The Kite volunteers to carry Cock Robin to the grave.
- The Linnet offers to carry the link (torch) for the procession.
- The Beetle agrees to make Cock Robin's shroud.
- The Owl volunteers to dig the grave.
- The Bull offers to toll the bell for the funeral.
- The Rook agrees to be the Parson, and the Lark the Clerk.
- The Dove declares herself the chief mourner, expressing her love.
- The Thrush offers to sing a psalm.
- All the birds of the air sigh and sob upon hearing the bell toll for Cock Robin.
Characters
Cock Robin
A small, plump bird, typical of a European robin. He has a distinctive bright orange-red breast, a grey-brown back, and a white belly. His legs are slender and dark.
Attire: None, as he is a bird.
Wants: To live his life as a bird, likely foraging and singing.
Flaw: Vulnerable to predators, as demonstrated by his death.
His arc is tragic; he is killed at the beginning of the story, and the rest of the narrative focuses on the aftermath of his death.
Implied to be innocent and beloved, as his death causes widespread mourning.
The Sparrow
A small, agile bird with dull brown and grey plumage, typical of a house sparrow. Its body is compact and sturdy.
Attire: None, as it is a bird.
Wants: Unstated, but driven by a desire to kill Cock Robin.
Flaw: Its aggressive nature and willingness to commit violence.
Remains unchanged, confessing its crime without remorse.
Aggressive, direct, unapologetic, and perhaps a bit boastful about its deed.
The Fly
A small, dark insect with a segmented body, six delicate legs, and two large, multifaceted compound eyes. Its wings are translucent and veined.
Attire: None, as it is an insect.
Wants: To truthfully report what it witnessed.
Flaw: Its small size makes it seemingly insignificant, yet it holds crucial information.
Remains unchanged, serving as a witness.
Observant, direct, and factual.
The Fish
A small, freshwater fish, perhaps a minnow or a small carp, with iridescent scales, fins, and a tail. Its body is streamlined for aquatic movement.
Attire: None, as it is a fish.
Wants: To collect Cock Robin's blood.
Flaw: Limited to its aquatic environment.
Remains unchanged, performing its designated task.
Helpful, practical, and perhaps a bit morbid in its task.
The Kite
A large, powerful bird of prey with broad wings, a forked tail, and sharp talons. Its plumage is typically reddish-brown with lighter underparts.
Attire: None, as it is a bird.
Wants: To carry Cock Robin to his grave, provided the conditions are met.
Flaw: Reluctance to operate in the dark, perhaps due to poor night vision or fear of unseen dangers.
Remains unchanged, offering its service under specific terms.
Practical, willing to help, but with a clear condition (not at night).
The Linnet
A small, slender finch with streaky brown plumage, a grey head, and a reddish breast (in males). Its beak is small and conical.
Attire: None, as it is a bird.
Wants: To assist with the funeral by carrying the link (a torch).
Flaw: None apparent, seems very capable.
Remains unchanged, offering its service.
Eager, helpful, and efficient.
The Beetle
A hard-shelled insect, likely a ground beetle or similar, with a dark, segmented body, six legs, and antennae. Its carapace is shiny and protective.
Attire: None, as it is an insect.
Wants: To create Cock Robin's shroud.
Flaw: None apparent, seems very capable.
Remains unchanged, offering its service.
Diligent, skilled, and practical.
The Owl
A large, nocturnal bird with soft, mottled brown and grey plumage, large round eyes, and a flat face. Its talons are strong, and its beak is hooked.
Attire: None, as it is a bird.
Wants: To dig Cock Robin's grave.
Flaw: None apparent, seems very capable.
Remains unchanged, offering its service.
Solemn, capable, and practical.
Locations
The Clearing of the Incident
A natural, open space within a woodland, likely where Cock Robin was found after being shot. The ground would be soft earth or leaf litter, possibly with some low-lying vegetation.
Mood: Initially peaceful, then somber and tragic due to the discovery of Cock Robin.
The initial crime scene where Cock Robin is killed and his blood is collected.
The Grave Site
A freshly dug grave, likely a simple burial plot in a quiet, natural setting, perhaps under a prominent tree or near a small mound.
Mood: Solemn, mournful, respectful.
Where Cock Robin is prepared for burial, his shroud made, and his grave dug.
The Bell Tower / Churchyard
A location with a bell, likely a simple, rustic bell tower or a churchyard where a bell can be tolled. The Bull would be positioned to pull the bell rope.
Mood: Somber, echoing, signaling the finality of death.
The moment the bell tolls, announcing Cock Robin's death to all the birds.
The Funeral Gathering
A gathering of various birds around the grave, performing the funeral rites. This would be a solemn assembly in a natural, open space.
Mood: Profound sadness, communal mourning, quiet reverence.
The actual funeral service, with the parson, clerk, chief mourner, and psalm singer.