ON THE MOUNTAIN.
A cock once said to a hen, “It is now the time when the nuts are ripe. Let us go to the nut mountain and eat all we can before the squirrels carry them all away.” “Yes,” said the hen; “let us go and enjoy ourselves.”
So they went to the mountain together and, as it was a bright, sunny day, they stayed there until evening. Now, whether it was because they had eaten too much, or whether they were too proud, I do not know; but they did not want to go home on foot. The cock thereupon built a small wagon out of the nut shells lying about.
When the wagon was ready, he seated himself in it and said to the hen, “You be my horse and pull the wagon for me.” “Indeed, I will not,” said the hen; “you be the horse yourself. I will get upon the seat and be driver. I would rather walk home than be your horse and pull the wagon.”
While they were quarreling, a duck came out of the bushes. She was very angry and said, “Who has given you permission to eat nuts on my nut mountain? Wait a minute and it will cost you dearly.” Then she rushed at the cock with outstretched neck to bite him. But the cock flew at the duck and pecked her and struck her with his sharp spurs till she was glad enough to stop fighting. The cock then harnessed the duck to the wagon. He and the hen got in and away they went down the mountain.
Suggestions.
A talk with the children about autumn, and about different kinds of nuts. Animals that eat them. What animals hoard them for winter use? How does the hen differ from the duck? Why? etc. Their food and their homes.
The quarrel. Who was to blame? Who was proud? Who was punished? Who was punished in “Seven Little Goats”? In “Red Riding Hood”? In “Mother Frost”? In “Snow-white and Rose-red”?
II.
Preparation.
On their way home the cock and the hen overtake two travelers.
Test the children’s knowledge of travelers and travel.
Narration.