The bride answered: “Run first and fetch me a wreath which I left hanging on a willow.”
So Chanticleer ran to the willow, pulled the wreath off the branch, and brought it to the bride. The bride gave him the red silk, which he took to the well, and the well gave him the water for it. Then Chanticleer took the water to Partlet; but as it happened, she had choked in the meantime, and lay there dead and stiff. Chanticleer’s grief was so great that he cried aloud, and all the animals came and condoled with him.
Six mice built a little car to draw Partlet to the grave; and when the car was ready they harnessed themselves to it and drew Partlet away.
On the way, Reynard the fox joined them. “Where are you going, Chanticleer?” said he.
“I’m going to bury my wife, Partlet.”
“May I go with you?”
“Well, yes, if ride you will, you must jump up behind,
To carry weight in front, my horses aren’t inclined.”
So the fox took a seat at the back, and he was followed by the wolf, the bear, the stag, the lion, and all the other animals of the forest. The procession went on till they came to a stream.
“How shall we ever get over?” said Chanticleer.