A beast fable is a type of narrative that features animals as characters who often behave and speak like humans. These stories often have a moral lesson or theme at their core. The Canterbury Tales, written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, is a collection of stories told by a group of travelers on their journey to Canterbury. Among the tales told by the pilgrims is the "Nun's Priest's Tale," which is a beast fable that features a talking rooster named Chauntecleer and a cunning fox named Reynard.
In the "Nun's Priest's Tale," Chauntecleer is the proud and intelligent rooster who rules over a group of hens on a farm. Reynard the fox, on the other hand, is known for his trickery and deceit. One day, Reynard comes to the farm and flatters Chauntecleer, telling him that he is the most handsome and brave rooster he has ever seen. Chauntecleer, pleased with the compliment, invites Reynard into his coop.
However, Reynard has ulterior motives and plots to steal one of the hens for his dinner. He tells Chauntecleer a story about a terrible dream he had, in which he saw a giant, terrifying beast coming to attack the farm. Chauntecleer, worried for the safety of his hens, decides to leave the coop to defend the farm against the beast. Reynard, seeing an opportunity, quickly grabs one of the hens and makes a run for it.
Chauntecleer, realizing he has been tricked, chases after Reynard and manages to catch him. Reynard, knowing he has been caught, begs for mercy and promises to never steal from the farm again. Chauntecleer, being a kind and forgiving rooster, agrees to let Reynard go, but warns him that if he ever tries to steal from the farm again, he will not be so merciful.
The "Nun's Priest's Tale" is a classic beast fable that teaches the lesson of not trusting those who flatter or deceive us. Chaucer uses the story to comment on the corrupt and cunning nature of some people in society, as Reynard the fox represents those who seek to deceive and manipulate others for their own gain. The story also highlights the virtues of kindness and forgiveness, as Chauntecleer shows mercy towards Reynard despite his trickery.
Overall, the "Nun's Priest's Tale" is a humorous and entertaining tale that serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of trusting those who seek to deceive us and the importance of forgiveness. It is one of many stories in The Canterbury Tales that showcases Chaucer's wit and storytelling skills, and it continues to be a popular and enduring tale to this day.