The Chief Mourner by Parker Fillmore

Name: The Chief Mourner
Author: Parker Fillmore

A bear named Osmo mourns the death of his wife and seeks a suitable mourner. He encounters various animals, including a wolf, a hare, and a fox, each attempting to demonstrate their mourning abilities. The wolf's howl and the hare's frightened squeaks fail to impress Osmo. When he meets the fox, Mikko, the fox showcases his talent for wailing, moving Osmo deeply with a heartfelt lament. Impressed, Osmo invites Mikko to his home to mourn properly. However, the fox, concerned about the smoke affecting his voice, persuades Osmo to move the body to the storehouse. Once alone, Mikko reveals his true intentions and begins to eat the bear's wife instead of mourning her. Despite Osmo's calls for the fox to start wailing, Mikko continues to feast, relishing the bear meat. When Osmo discovers the deception, he rushes to confront Mikko, but the fox escapes, leaving only a mark on his tail as evidence of the encounter. The story highlights themes of deception, greed, and the consequences of one's actions, culminating in a humorous yet cautionary tale about the nature of mourning and the lengths to which one might go for personal gain.

By Parker Fillmore · First published 1935 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Humor · 953 words

First lines

"Mercy me! " thought Mikko to himself as he watched Varis, the Crow, fly away, "this is certainly my unlucky day! There I had my dinner right in my hand and then lost it!"

Sighing and shaking his head he sauntered slowly back to the forest.

What this Textopian page supports

The Chief Mourner is listed on Textopian as a short story by Parker Fillmore, dated 1935 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Parker Fillmore
Date: 1935 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Humor, Fantasy, Adventure
Length: 953 words
Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Fable — The story features anthropomorphic animals and conveys a moral lesson, characteristic of fables.
Children's Literature — The narrative style and themes are suitable for a young audience, focusing on simple morals and humor.
Humor — The comedic elements, particularly the Fox's trickery, provide humor throughout the story.
Fantasy — The presence of talking animals and fantastical situations places the story within the fantasy genre.