Gillie and the Flattering Fox

Abstract

Here is a pleasant adaptation for children of the Chanticleer story. The proud rooster here lives in Italy with Carlo the Cat and Giovanni the Goat. Seven admiring hens live down the road. The fox disguises himself first as a bringer of an invitation to sing from the King of Dacar. Gillie believes immediately, comes down, and is grasped by the fox--but Carlo and Giovanni are home and attack the fox. Gillie is saved. The next day a kindly lady appears as Gillie sings again atop the house. She praises his voice but says he needs her magic cookies to make his feathers shine like gold. Gillie comes down again and is carried off. Carlo and Giovanni are away at market. But the hens shake sand from their feathers into the fox's eyes and flap their wings around his head. The fox not only releases Gillie; he also falls down the hill to his death. Gillie's friends stuff the fox as a reminder for Gillie not to trust flatterers. With that moral, I believe, the story cinches belonging to the fable family. For one look at Weil's playful art, try the second-to-last illustration showing the party after Gillie's rescue. This book once belonged to the Roanoke County Public Library. It has received extensive use in its day!