Chanticleer and the Fox: adapted from the Canterbury Tales and Illustrated by Barbara Cooney (1958) is a story about a trickster fox. Chanticleer is a rooster that lives on a small farm. One night, he has a dream of danger. Alas, this danger appears in the form of a sly fox. The fox allays Chanticleer's fear with flattery. "Except for you I have never heard anyone who could sing as your father did in the morning," says the fox, and instructs its prey to close its eyes and stretch its neck to produce the best song possible. Of couirse the fox pounces and carries the rooster off. This tale ends with a wiser rooster. Chanticleer escapes--this time.
