The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

14814

Title

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this charming farmyard tale, Jemima Puddle-Duck refuses to let a hen hatch her eggs, insisting on doing it herself. Her determination leads her to a handsome gentleman in the woods who offers a cozy nest. However, his polite demeanor hides a sinister nature, turning a sweet story into a cautionary lesson about trusting strangers.

Summary up to 500 words

In Beatrix Potter's charming fable, *The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck*, the story centers on Jemima, a determined mother duck who refuses to let a hen hatch her eggs, fearing they will go cold. Seeking a safe, dry nesting place away from the farm, she flies to a secluded wood on a spring afternoon. There, she discovers an elegantly dressed gentleman with sandy whiskers reading a newspaper on a damp stump. Surprisingly polite and hospitable, he offers her a nest in his wood-shed, filled with soft feathers, and promises to care for her eggs while she sits on them. He even invites her to a special dinner party featuring an omelette made from herbs she gathers from the farm garden. Trusting the gentleman's civility, Jemima collects sage, thyme, mint, onions, and parsley, unaware that her host is actually a fox in disguise. Meanwhile, Kep, a collie-dog who has watched Jemima's daily visits with suspicion, grows concerned. When Jemima returns laden with herbs, Kep confronts the situation. Realizing the truth, he rushes to warn her, but it is too late. The fox's friends, two fox-hound puppies, rush into the shed and devour all of Jemima's eggs before Kep can stop them. The fox is chased away, and Jemima is escorted home in tears. Although Jemima lays more eggs later in June and is permitted to keep them herself, only four hatch. She attributes the loss to her nerves, admitting she has always been a bad sitter. The tale serves as a cautionary story about trusting strangers, highlighting the dangers of deception and the importance of vigilance, even when faced with polite appearances. Potter's narrative balances humor with a gentle lesson on the consequences of misplaced trust, capturing the innocence of the farmyard world while delivering a timeless warning.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Local file path

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Categories

• Fiction
• Juvenile Fiction