Chương Chương 75 · The Death of the Little Hen

. The Death of the Little Hen

Once upon a time the little hen went with the little cock to the

nut-hill, and they agreed together that whichsoever of them found a

kernel of a nut should share it with the other. Then the hen found a

large, large nut, but said nothing about it, intending to eat the

kernel herself. The kernel, however, was so large that she could not

swallow it, and it remained sticking in her throat, so that she was

alarmed lest she should be choked. Then she cried, “Cock, I entreat

thee to run as fast thou canst, and fetch me some water, or I shall

choke.” The little cock did run as fast as he could to the spring, and

said, “Stream, thou art to give me some water; the little hen is lying

on the nut-hill, and she has swallowed a large nut, and is choking.”

The well answered, “First run to the bride, and get her to give thee

some red silk.” The little cock ran to the bride and said, “Bride, you

are to give me some red silk; I want to give red silk to the well, the

well is to give me some water, I am to take the water to the little hen

who is lying on the nut-hill and has swallowed a great nut-kernel, and

is choking with it.” The bride answered, “First run and bring me my

little wreath which is hanging to a willow.” So the little cock ran to

the willow, and drew the wreath from the branch and took it to the

bride, and the bride gave him some water for it. Then the little cock

took the water to the hen, but when he got there the hen had choked in

the meantime, and lay there dead and motionless. Then the cock was so

distressed that he cried aloud, and every animal came to lament the

little hen, and six mice built a little carriage to carry her to her

grave, and when the carriage was ready they harnessed themselves to it,

and the cock drove. On the way, however, they met the fox, who said,

“Where art thou going, little cock?” “I am going to bury my little

hen.” “May I drive with thee?” “Yes, but seat thyself at the back of

the carriage, for in the front my little horses could not drag thee.”

Then the fox seated himself at the back, and after that the wolf, the

bear, the stag, the lion, and all the beasts of the forest did the

same. Then the procession went onwards, and they reached the stream.

“How are we to get over?” said the little cock. A straw was lying by

the stream, and it said, “I will lay myself across, and you shall drive

over me.” But when the six mice came to the bridge, the straw slipped

and fell into the water, and the six mice all fell in and were drowned.

Then they were again in difficulty, and a coal came and said, “I am

large enough, I will lay myself across and you shall drive over me.” So

the coal also laid itself across the water, but unhappily just touched

it, on which the coal hissed, was extinguished and died. When a stone

saw that, it took pity on the little cock, wished to help him, and laid

itself over the water. Then the cock drew the carriage himself, but

when he got it over and reached the other shore with the dead hen, and

was about to draw over the others who were sitting behind as well,

there were too many of them, the carriage ran back, and they all fell

into the water together, and were drowned. Then the little cock was

left alone with the dead hen, and dug a grave for her and laid her in

it, and made a mound above it, on which he sat down and fretted until

he died too, and then every one was dead.