Fatal Animal Tricks: Tales of Rabbit, Rooster, and Swallow

A Swallow, with the utmost civility, extended an invitation to a Rooster to partake of dinner. Upon the Rooster's arrival at the Swallow's abode,

the Swallow's consort made the pronouncement, 'He findeth himself within the stew-pot, consorting with the pumpkins.' Forthwith, she raised her voice in a summons, 'Husband, emerge hence!

The Rooster hath arrived.'

Thereupon, the Swallow did take flight through the vaporous emanations above the cooking fire, presenting the illusion of one risen from the very depths of the stew-pot. 'The stew,' quoth he, 'doth acquire a more delectable flavour when I have subjected myself to a brief ebullition with the pumpkins,'

This declaration the Swallow conveyed to the Rooster, who, in his simplicity, gave credence thereto.

Subsequently, the Rooster returned to his own demesne and imparted unto his wife, 'Thou must subject me to ebullition with the pumpkins, for such is the practice of the Swallow.'

The Rooster's wife, in compliance with his injunction, did as she was bidden, and the Rooster, alas, boiled to his demise.

The Cock did dispatch a missive unto his esteemed compatriot, the Swallow, stating, “Pray, hasten hither, dear friend! For I am in receipt of most grievous tidings.”

Upon the Swallow's arrival, the Cock's consort did lament, “Alas, my liege hath received direful intelligence and, in his despair, hath severed his own head!” Yet, in verity, the Cock had merely secreted his head beneath his wing.

“Accept, I beseech thee, my sincerest condolences!” quoth the Swallow.

Subsequently, ill fortune befell the Swallow, and he, too, became the recipient of melancholy news. “Summon the Cock forthwith,” he bade his spouse. “In the interim, I shall likewise sever mine own head.”

The Cock, upon his advent, discovered the Swallow with his head indeed severed. “I shall return on the morrow to ascertain whether his condition hath improved,” declared the Cock. He did return on the subsequent day, and again on the day following, but the Swallow remained unchanged, for he was, in truth, deceased.

The Hen extended an invitation to the Rabbit to partake in the consumption of ale.

Upon arrival, the Rabbit observed the Rooster, his cranium ensconced beneath his wing.

Quoth the Rabbit, “Pray, where is the Rooster's head?”

The Hen responded, “Verily, I have severed it. I dispatched his head to summon our esteemed guests,

whilst his corporeal form indulges in a brief slumber. Fear not, his head shall return anon.”

The Hen, in jest, spoke thus, yet the Rabbit, in his credulity, believed her. He repaired to his abode and brewed some ale, whereupon he instructed his wife, “Sever my head!

I shall remain hither and slumber, whilst my head journeys forth to invite our guests.”

Thus, the Rabbit's wife, acting upon his instruction, severed his head, and he expired forthwith.

'I shall feign demise,' quoth the Hare unto the Hart, 'and thou shalt convey me unto the gentlewomen toiling in the peanut enclosure, that they might purchase me. Bind me with a slack tether, such that I may abscond hence. We shall then partake in a veritable repast of peanuts!'

The Hart, in accordance with the scheme, did proffer the seemingly deceased Hare unto the aforementioned gentlewomen. As prearranged, the Hare did extricate himself with a subtle wriggle, whereupon he and the Hart did indulge in a surfeit of peanuts.

Upon discovering the Hare's absence, the gentlewomen did lament, exclaiming, 'Alas! Some knave hath purloined our Hare!'

On the subsequent morn, the Hare did propose, 'Thou shalt this time enact the semblance of death, and I shall undertake to vend thee.'

The gentlewomen, unwitting of the ruse, did procure the seemingly lifeless Hart.

'Observe!' cried one of the gentlewomen, 'It yet doth draw breath!' And thus, with their implements of husbandry, did they dispatch the Hart to his eternal rest.

In an endeavour to abscond from a conflagration sweeping through the grasses, Rabbit sought refuge within his burrow. Upon ascertaining the cessation of peril, he emerged, indulged in a terrestrial gyration amidst the ashes, and subsequently embarked upon a journey to confer with his acquaintance, Baboon.

'Pray, what untoward circumstance hath befallen thee?' queried Baboon. 'Thou art entirely enveloped in ash.'

'A veritable inferno ravaged the grasses,' Rabbit elucidated. 'Yet, I, through the expectoration of saliva, quelled the flames. My expectoration possesses considerable potency.'

'Mine own spittle, too, doth boast a formidable efficacy!' exclaimed Baboon with vehement assertion. 'Engage in the act of igniting mine abode, Rabbit. I shall furnish thee with demonstrative evidence!'

Rabbit, acquiescing to the request, set Baboon's dwelling ablaze.

Baboon discharged copious quantities of saliva, yet proved incapable of subduing the conflagration.

The imprudent Baboon succumbed to mortality amidst the flames.