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 you to run as fast
as you can 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, you are 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 you 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 red silk for it, which he took to the well,
who 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 did not move. 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 are you going, little cock. I am going to bury my little hen.
May I drive with you. Yes, but seat yourself at the back of the carriage, for in the front
my little horses could not drag you. Then the procession went onwards, and they reached a
stream. How are we to cross over, said the little cock. A straw was lying by the stream
and it said, I will lay myself straight across, and then you can 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, at 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 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
everyone was dead.
--The End-- |
