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.
MCQs
- Who tells The Nun’s Priest’s Tale?
A) The Knight
B) The Miller
C) The Nun’s Priest
D) The Pardoner
Answer: C) The Nun’s Priest - What type of story is The Nun’s Priest’s Tale?
A) Tragedy
B) Beast fable
C) Romance
D) Historical fiction
Answer: B) Beast fable - What is the name of the rooster in the tale?
A) Chanticleer
B) Pertelote
C) Russell
D) Reynard
Answer: A) Chanticleer
The Nun’s Priest’s Tale - Who is Chanticleer’s favorite hen?
A) Pertelote
B) Beatrice
C) Henrika
D) Matilda
Answer: A) Pertelote - What does Chanticleer dream about?
A) Finding treasure
B) A beast trying to kill him
C) A hen running away
D) Flying away from the farm
Answer: B) A beast trying to kill him - How does Pertelote explain Chanticleer’s dream?
A) It is a vision from God
B) It is due to indigestion
C) It is a warning of the future
D) It is just his imagination
Answer: B) It is due to indigestion - Who is the villain in The Nun’s Priest’s Tale?
A) A wolf
B) A hunter
C) A fox
D) A snake
Answer: C) A fox - How does the fox catch Chanticleer?
A) By chasing him
B) By flattering him into singing with his eyes closed
C) By scaring him
D) By tricking him with food
Answer: B) By flattering him into singing with his eyes closed - How does Chanticleer escape from the fox?
A) By fighting back
B) By flying away immediately
C) By tricking the fox into speaking, causing him to open his mouth
D) By getting help from the farmer
Answer: C) By tricking the fox into speaking, causing him to open his mouth - What is the moral of The Nun’s Priest’s Tale?
A) Hard work leads to success
B) Beware of flattery and overconfidence
C) Revenge is the best solution
D) Dreams always come true
Answer: B) Beware of flattery and overconfidence
| 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 |