Summary:
“The Nun’s Priest’s Tale” is a beast fable from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. The story is told by the Nun’s Priest, who is traveling with the Prioress. It is a humorous tale about a proud rooster named Chanticleer and his cunning encounter with a fox.
Chanticleer is a magnificent rooster who lives in a barnyard with his seven wives, the most beautiful of whom is Pertelote. One night, Chanticleer has a frightening dream about a beast trying to kill him. Pertelote dismisses the dream, saying it is caused by indigestion and urges him to take a laxative.
Later, a cunning fox named Russell sneaks into the barnyard. He flatteringly praises Chanticleer’s voice, convincing him to sing with his eyes closed. When Chanticleer does this, the fox grabs him by the neck and runs away.
The farm animals cry out in alarm, and the chase begins. Chanticleer, using his intelligence, tricks the fox into speaking by suggesting he should boast to his pursuers. When the fox opens his mouth, Chanticleer escapes and flies up into a tree.
The story teaches a lesson about the dangers of pride and flattery. It also contains satirical elements about human foolishness and the unpredictable nature of fate.
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| Question | Answer |
| Tale Name | The Nun’s Priest’s Tale |
| Author | Geoffrey Chaucer |
| Part of | The Canterbury Tales |
| Genre | Beast Fable, Satire |
| Setting | A barnyard |
| Main Characters | Chanticleer (rooster), Pertelote (hen), Russell (fox) |
| Major Themes | Flattery, Pride, Fate vs. Free Will, Intelligence vs. Strength |
| Moral Lesson | Be wary of flattery; overconfidence can lead to downfall |
| Conflict | Chanticleer’s pride vs. the fox’s cunning |
| Resolution | Chanticleer outsmarts the fox and escapes |
| Significance | One of Chaucer’s most famous humorous tales, often studied in literature classes |