Once upon a time, a little hen and a little cock went to the nut-hill. They agreed that whoever found a nut kernel would share it with the other. The hen found a large nut but kept it secret, intending to eat the kernel herself.
The kernel was so large that it stuck in her throat, choking her. In alarm, she cried, "Cock, I beg you, run as fast as you can and fetch me some water, or I shall choke!"
The little cock ran to the spring and said, "Stream, give me some water! The little hen is on the nut-hill, choking on a large nut."
The well replied, "First, run to the bride and get her to give you some red silk." The little cock ran to the bride and said, "Bride, give me some red silk to give to the well, so it will give me water to take to the little hen who is choking on a nut kernel on the nut-hill."
The bride answered, "First, run and bring me my little wreath hanging on the willow." So the little cock ran to the willow, took the wreath, and brought it to the bride. In return, she gave him the red silk, which he gave to the well, and finally received the water.
But when the little cock returned, the hen had already choked to death. Distressed, the cock cried aloud. All the animals came to lament, and six mice built a little carriage to carry her to the grave. The cock drove the carriage.
On the way, they met a fox. "Where are you going, little cock?" asked the fox. "I am going to bury my little hen," he replied. "May I ride with you?" "Yes, but sit at the back, for my little horses could not pull you from the front."
The fox sat at the back, followed by the wolf, the bear, the stag, the lion, and all the beasts of the forest. The procession moved on until they reached a stream. "How shall we cross?" said the little cock.
A straw by the stream said, "I will lay myself across, and you shall drive over me." But when the six mice stepped onto the straw bridge, it slipped, and they all fell into the water and drowned.
Next, a coal offered to help. "I am large enough," it said, laying itself across the water. But the coal touched the water, hissed, was extinguished, and died.
Then a stone took pity and laid itself over the water. The cock pulled the carriage across with the dead hen. But when he tried to pull the others over, there were too many. The carriage ran back, and all the animals fell into the water and drowned.
The little cock was left alone with the dead hen. He dug a grave, laid her in it, and made a mound. He sat upon it, fretting until he died. And so, everyone was dead.