The narrative begins with a cock and a mouse who, despite their differences, engage in a series of interactions that lead to conflict and eventual resolution. The cock, kept in a corral by an old woman, is unable to escape and is constantly hungry for food. The mouse, living nearby, takes advantage of the cock's situation by stealing scraps of food that the old woman throws to the cock. One day, the mouse steals a large piece of bread, which draws the cock's attention. Mistaking the mouse's tail for a worm, the cock pecks at it, severing the tail and causing the mouse to cry out in pain. The mouse vows revenge against the cock for this humiliation. To enact his plan, the mouse pretends to be injured and seeks pity from the cock, who, feeling flattered, allows the mouse to enter his corral. The mouse then offers the cock a nut, which the cock finds delicious. However, the cock's inability to reach the nut tree leads to further frustration. The mouse, eager to help, gnaws through the corral's door, allowing the cock to escape. Once outside, the cock eagerly asks for nuts, but his worn wings prevent him from flying up to the tree. The mouse, now in a position of power, throws a nut down to the cock, but instead of feeding him, he drops it on the cock's head, stunning him. The mouse then gnaws off the cock's bristles, leaving him humiliated and injured. The cock, in pain, returns to the old woman, who refuses to help him unless he brings her bristles from another animal. The cock embarks on a quest to gather the necessary items to heal himself, encountering various characters along the way, including a dog and a food trader. Each character demands something in return for their assistance, illustrating a theme of reciprocity and the interconnectedness of their lives. The cock ultimately learns that he must sacrifice some of his own feathers to bring rain, which in turn allows him to gather wood and obtain bread from the trader. After a series of trials, the cock returns to the old woman with the required bristles, and she finally tends to his wounds. However, the cock is left with permanent scars as a reminder of his actions. The story concludes with a moral lesson about the consequences of one's actions and the importance of reciprocity in relationships. The cock's transformation and the mouse's revenge serve as a cautionary tale about pride and the need for humility. The narrative reflects cultural values and the significance of storytelling in conveying moral lessons within the community.
By Frank Hamilton Cushing · First published 1889 · Genre: Folk Tale, Children's Literature, Cultural Narrative