"Once, long ago, there lived a rooster named Chantecleer. He was a handsome and noble beast, with a ruby comb crown, azure legs and feet, and feathers of gold and jet. However, more beautiful than any plume in his wing was his voice. His call rang as loud as a tiger's roar, as clear as a bell made of purest jade, and with an accuracy greater than any clock or machine.
"In his attendance were seven beautiful hens, each with feathers as white as snow. The most lovely of them was graceful Pertelote, whose radiance was matched only by her graciousness and her love for Chantecleer. Though each hen knew his attentions, Pertelote alone held his heart and his favor.
"One day as Chantecleer sat beside Pertelote on his perch, he gave a burdened groan.
"'What troubles you,' asked Pertelote.
"'A nightmare,' said he. 'Last night I dreamt of a great beast who sought to devour me. It was not unlike a hound, with body the color of the setting sun, and ears and tail the shade of the night that follows it. Its maw was pointed like a spear, and its eyes glowed like a pyre.'
"'Shame,' cried Pertelote, 'That I should love such a coward as you! A dream is nothing, and fool is the rooster that is bothered by it! Clear your mind of this and consider it no more.'
"And so he did."
The Story of Chantecleer
Moderator: Student Council
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Nine Tails
"On a fine spring day, Chantecleer and his hens dwelled in the yard, bathing in the morning sun. They were unaware of their danger, as a sly fox had broken into the yard the night before to lie in ambush in the cabbage patch.
"No sooner did the sun strike a suitable level than did he tilt his head to crow his noble song. Merry was his heart, until the fluttering of a butterfly drew his eye to the beast in the cabbages. Giving a cry of dismay, Chantecleer leapt up, only to halt in his flight as the fox spoke with a honeyed tone.
"'Worry not,' insisted he, 'For I come with no ill intent! Far and wide is the name of mighty Chantecleer spoken, legendary is the melody of his call! I beseech you, honor this humble creature with the din of your voice!'
"Chantecleer stood high on his toes. Flattery had seized his pride. He beat his wings and puffed his chest. He stretched his neck and closed his eyes. At once, a powerful crow rung out from his throat, a cry that rattled heaven and earth.
"The fox grinned, for his plan had succeeded! He lunged forward and snapped Chantecleer up in his jaws by the throat. Pertelote and the others gave a tremendous howl, squawking in a chorus of dismay. The sly beast leapt over the fence and vanished into the forest.
"This was not the end of clever Chantecleer, however. As his captor sprang through the brush, he lifted his voice once more.
"'Such a cunning trick, fox! Were I so witted, I should think to boast of such a deception!'
"'Indeed,' spoke the fox, 'You are quite handily fooled, are you not?'
"But as the beast opened his mouth to brag, Chantecleer did wrest himself free! With a flutter and a hop, he flew up to the highest branches of the highest tree, the bark of which was too smooth for the fox to climb.
"'Alas,' the fox now cried, 'I have wronged noble Chantecleer in making him afraid. I did so with no wicked intention, friend rooster, of this I swear. Come down to me, and I will explain my intent!'
"'I am a fool to be tricked by your flattery, but you are a greater fool to think that such a trick will befall me twice!'
"'So be it. But know that we are guilty of the same fool's crime, to have chattered when silence was best!'"
"No sooner did the sun strike a suitable level than did he tilt his head to crow his noble song. Merry was his heart, until the fluttering of a butterfly drew his eye to the beast in the cabbages. Giving a cry of dismay, Chantecleer leapt up, only to halt in his flight as the fox spoke with a honeyed tone.
"'Worry not,' insisted he, 'For I come with no ill intent! Far and wide is the name of mighty Chantecleer spoken, legendary is the melody of his call! I beseech you, honor this humble creature with the din of your voice!'
"Chantecleer stood high on his toes. Flattery had seized his pride. He beat his wings and puffed his chest. He stretched his neck and closed his eyes. At once, a powerful crow rung out from his throat, a cry that rattled heaven and earth.
"The fox grinned, for his plan had succeeded! He lunged forward and snapped Chantecleer up in his jaws by the throat. Pertelote and the others gave a tremendous howl, squawking in a chorus of dismay. The sly beast leapt over the fence and vanished into the forest.
"This was not the end of clever Chantecleer, however. As his captor sprang through the brush, he lifted his voice once more.
"'Such a cunning trick, fox! Were I so witted, I should think to boast of such a deception!'
"'Indeed,' spoke the fox, 'You are quite handily fooled, are you not?'
"But as the beast opened his mouth to brag, Chantecleer did wrest himself free! With a flutter and a hop, he flew up to the highest branches of the highest tree, the bark of which was too smooth for the fox to climb.
"'Alas,' the fox now cried, 'I have wronged noble Chantecleer in making him afraid. I did so with no wicked intention, friend rooster, of this I swear. Come down to me, and I will explain my intent!'
"'I am a fool to be tricked by your flattery, but you are a greater fool to think that such a trick will befall me twice!'
"'So be it. But know that we are guilty of the same fool's crime, to have chattered when silence was best!'"
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Nine Tails
The master had finished his tale. "Now, tell me what you have learned."
His student considered his words carefully. "I like Chantecleer."
"You would still emulate a creature of such folly?"
"He was handsome. Girls liked him, and he was famous and skilled and clever."
"His pride lead to his downfall."
"But he turned out okay, didn't he? He thought his way out of his situation. Besides, isn't the rooster known for his courage and spirit? You're always saying that spirit is the key to--"
The master cut the boy off abruptly. "He is also known for his vanity and over-confidence. He is easily distracted, wasteful with his energy, and he talks too much!"
"So it's settled then."
Smiling, the boy stood and gave a respectful bow. He knew the punishment for such impertinence, his master did not need to say a word. A few hundred trips up and down the temple steps were a small price to pay.
He had finally chosen a name.
His student considered his words carefully. "I like Chantecleer."
"You would still emulate a creature of such folly?"
"He was handsome. Girls liked him, and he was famous and skilled and clever."
"His pride lead to his downfall."
"But he turned out okay, didn't he? He thought his way out of his situation. Besides, isn't the rooster known for his courage and spirit? You're always saying that spirit is the key to--"
The master cut the boy off abruptly. "He is also known for his vanity and over-confidence. He is easily distracted, wasteful with his energy, and he talks too much!"
"So it's settled then."
Smiling, the boy stood and gave a respectful bow. He knew the punishment for such impertinence, his master did not need to say a word. A few hundred trips up and down the temple steps were a small price to pay.
He had finally chosen a name.