Once there was a cockerel which travelled round the world. On his way he found a letter. He picked it up with his beak and read:
“Pearl Grey Cockerel, Pearl Grey Hen, Dilly Duck and Gaggly Goose, Goldfinch from the treetop, Come to Chick-Chick’s wedding.”
The cockerel went on and after a few steps he met the hen. “Where are you going, friend Cockerel?” – “I’m going to Chick-Chick’s wedding.” – “May I come too?” – “If you are invited, you may.” He looked at the letter and read:
“Pearl Grey Cockerel, Pearl Grey Hen, Dilly Duck and Gaggly Goose, Goldfinch from the treetop, Come to Chick-Chick’s wedding.”
“Yes, you are invited. So, come along with me.” And off they walked.
After a while they met the goose. “Hello, dear Hen and friend Cockerel. Where are you going?” – “We are going to Chick-Chick’s wedding.” – “May I come too?” – “If you are invited you may.” The cockerel unfolded the letter and read:
“Pearl Grey Cockerel, Pearl Grey Hen, Dilly Duck and Gaggly Goose, Goldfinch from the treetop, Come to Chick-Chick’s wedding.”
“Yes, you are invited, so come along with us.” And off they walked.
They met the duck. “Where are you going, dear Goose and Hen and Cockerel?” – “To Chick-Chick’s wedding.” – “May I come too?” – “Yes, if you are invited.” The cockerel read:
“Pearl Grey Cockerel, Pearl Grey Hen, Dilly Duck and Gaggly Goose, Goldfinch from the treetop, Come to Chick-Chick’s wedding.”
“Yes, you are invited. Come along.”
Then they met the goldfinch. “Where are you going, dear friends Duck, Goose, Hen, and you, friend Cockerel?” – “To Chick-Chick’s wedding.” – “May I come along?” – “Sure, if you are invited“. He opened the letter:
“Pearl Grey Cockerel, Pearl Grey Hen, Dilly Duck and Gaggly Goose, Goldfinch from the treetop, Come to Chick-Chick’s wedding.”
“Hey, there you are as well.” Then the five of them went on.
They met the wolf. The wolf also asked where they were going. “We are going to Chick-Chick’s wedding”, answered the cockerel. “Then I shall come too.” – “You may, if you are invited.” The cockerel read through the letter, but the wolf’s name was not in it. “I still want to go,” said the wolf. And because the others were afraid, they answered: “Let us go then.”
When they had walked a few steps, the wolf said: “I am hungry. The cockerel answered: “I have not got anything for you.” – “Then I will eat you.” And the wolf opened his mouth and swallowed the cockerel, feathers and all.
A little further on the wolf again said: “I am hungry.” The hen said: “I have not got anything for you.” So, the wolf ate her up as well.
A little further on the wolf again said: “I am hungry.” The duck said: “I have not got anything for you.” So, the wolf ate her up as well.
A little further on the wolf said: “I am hungry.” The goose said: “I have not got anything for you.” And so, the wolf ate her up as well.
Now the goldfinch and the wolf were the only ones left. The wolf said: “Dear Bird, I am hungry.” – “And what would I have to give you? I have not got anything for you.” – “Well then, I will eat you up.” He opened his mouth… but … the bird hopped onto his head. The wolf did all he could to get hold of the goldfinch, but the bird hopped to and fro, flew up into the tree, hopped onto a branch, and flew back again, hopping from the wolf’s head to his tail, making him furious.
When the wolf had tired himself out, the bird saw a woman. She was taking food to the mowers in the meadow. The goldfinch called to the wolf: “If you let me live, I will see to it that you get a good meal, because the woman is taking spaghetti and meat to the mowers in the meadow. When she sees me, she will want to catch me and then I shall fly from one branch to the other. She will put the basket down and you can eat everything.”
And, indeed, when the woman saw the beautiful bird she came and stretched out her hand to catch it. But just then the goldfinch flew up. The woman put down the basket and ran after the bird. Then the wolf went to the basket and had a feast.
“Help! Help!” cried the woman. All the mowers came running, one with a sickle, another with a stick and they got the wolf.
And out of the wolf’s stomach jumped Gaggly Goose, Dilly Duck, Pearl Grey Hen and Pearl Grey Cockerel and together with Goldfinch they went to Chick-Chick’s wedding.
The end.