The Death of the Little Hen (Grimm)
Division into sections is editorial.
The little hen chokes on a nut kernel
Once upon a time, a little hen and a little cock went together to the nut-hill. They made an agreement that whoever found a nut kernel should share it with the other. However, when the little hen discovered a large nut, she decided to break their promise.
Then the hen found a large, large nut, but said nothing about it, intending to eat the kernel herself... it remained sticking in her throat, so that she was alarmed lest she should be choked.
The kernel was too large to swallow and became stuck in her throat.
The cocks chain of requests for water
Desperate and choking, the hen called out to the little cock for help, begging him to fetch water quickly or she would die. The loyal cock immediately ran as fast as he could to the spring to get water for his companion.
When the cock reached the stream, he asked for water to save the choking hen. However, the well refused to give water unless the cock first brought red silk from the bride.
The cock rushed to the bride and explained the urgent situation, asking for red silk. But the bride also made a demand - she wanted her little wreath that was hanging on a willow tree.
The desperate cock ran to the willow, retrieved the wreath, and brought it to the bride. She gave him the red silk, which he then took to the well in exchange for water. Finally having obtained the water, the cock hurried back to save the hen.
Then the little cock took the water to the hen, but when he got there the hen had choked in the meantime, and lay there dead and motionless.
The cock's efforts had been in vain - he arrived too late to save his companion.
The funeral procession with all the forest animals
Overcome with grief, the cock cried aloud, and his lament attracted every animal in the forest. Six mice took pity on the situation and built a small carriage to carry the dead hen to her grave. They harnessed themselves to the carriage, with the cock serving as the driver.
As the funeral procession began its journey, they encountered a fox who asked to join them. The cock agreed, but told the fox to sit at the back of the carriage since the little mice could not pull his weight in front.
After the fox, many other forest animals joined the solemn procession - the wolf, bear, stag, lion, and all the beasts of the forest seated themselves at the back of the carriage.
The procession continued until they reached a stream that blocked their path. The cock wondered aloud how they would cross the water with their heavy load.
The tragic crossing and everyones death
A straw lying by the stream offered to lay itself across the water as a bridge. However, when the six mice attempted to cross, the straw slipped and fell into the water, causing all the mice to fall in and drown.
Next, a coal volunteered to serve as a bridge, laying itself across the water. Unfortunately, when it touched the water, it hissed, was extinguished, and died.
Finally, a stone took pity on the cock and successfully provided a bridge across the water. The cock managed to pull the carriage with the dead hen across to the other shore.
However, when the cock tried to bring the other animals across as well, there were too many of them. The carriage ran backward, and all the forest animals fell into the water and drowned. Left alone with his dead companion, the cock dug a grave for the hen, laid her in it, and made a mound above it. He sat on the mound and grieved until he too died, leaving everyone dead.