The Book of the Dun Cow
by Walter Wangerin, Jr.

Principal Characters

Chauntecleer:  A rooster. Lord of the Coop and ruler over all the animals
in his land.  He settles disputes among the animals.  His canonical crows provide 
a sense of order and security for their daily activities.  Chauntecleer is proud 
and stubborn, but also compassionate and just.  He cares for his animals, but often 
falls into thinking that they don't appreciate him enough.

Mundo Cani:  A dog who comes to live with Chauntecleer at the beginning 
of the story (pg. 5).  An animal with no self-esteem; self-deprecating to the 
extreme.  Becomes a faithful servant of Chauntecleer (faithful to the end).

John Wesley Weasel:  Strong-minded member of Chauntecleer's community.  
He is loyal to the rooster, but sometimes questions his authority and decisions.  
A brave fighter, somewhat impetuous.

Wyrm:  Enormous one-eyed serpent, monster of Evil.  Long imprisoned under 
the earth, he yearns to break free.  The animals who live on the surface are his 
unwitting keepers.

Senex:  A rooster who rules another land to the east of Chauntecleer's land.  
He is old and about to die; an ineffective ruler, always apologizing to his animals 
for his actions. His crowing is weak and ill-timed, causing his animals to live in 
confusion.  He gets no respect.  Senex has no son to succeed him and to make his death 
honorable.  Wyrm seduces Senex into believing that he can be born again as his own son 
(pg. 29).  Senex gives his will over to Wyrm and Cockatrice is born.  He kills Senex 
and usurps his rule.

Cockatrice:  Half rooster, half snake.  Conceived through an unnatural 
union between Senex and Wyrm.  Hatched from an egg laid by Senex himself and 
brooded over by a toad.  Cockatrice kills Senex and takes over his coop, producing 
more children for Wyrm by his hens.  These are the Basilisks (poisonous 
snakes), who kill the animals and leave the land desolate.  Cockatrice and his 
snakes eventually head west to invade Chauntecleer's land.

Pertelote:  A beautiful hen from Senex's coop who defied Cockatrice and 
escaped to Chauntecleer's land (barely, with her life).  She becomes Chauntecleer's 
wife and gives him three sons:  The three Pins (One, Five and Ten).

The Dun Cow:  Mysteriously appears in times of crisis and great suffering.  
She seems to have the power to absorb the suffering and grief of others.  Strengthens 
Chauntecleer when he is overcome by despair.  Chauntecleer later becomes jealous when 
the Dun Cow seems to pay more attention to Mundo Cani than to him.

The Story

The conflict begins when the river which runs by Chauntecleer's land is swelled by 
long rains.  Basilisks emerge from the river and kill some of the animals.  
Chauntecleer's sons, the Pins, are killed.

Chauntecleer must overcome his grief and self-doubt in order to inspire his animals 
to prepare a defense and to fight against the enemy.  He tells them the story of 
how he came to be their ruler (p.141).  Chauntecleer was sent by God to lead them, 
but he often struggles with God over the injustice that he sees in the world.  
Chauntecleer is sometimes tempted by the Enemy in dreams to loose faith in the 
loyalty of his animals--even those closest to him.

Mundo Cani saves the silly and dim-witted turkeys from being killed off by the 
Basilisks.  The turkeys, not ever realizing the danger (due to their poor eyesight 
and hearing--and their lack of good sense) scorn the dog for his rough treatment of 
them during the rescue.  This throws Mundo Cani into a deep depression and he 
considers leaving.  Chauntecleer talks him out of it (p. 167).

In the first round of battle, Chauntecleer must stir up his fearful animals to 
fight bravely against the Basilisks.  He has them rub themselves with rue (a plant) 
which repels the snakes. He inspires them to anger against the enemy by dramatizing 
the threat they represent to their children (p. 182).  The battle is terrible.  
Chauntecleer spurs his troops on with his mighty crowing.  The Basilisks are 
defeated at great cost.  Mundo Cani comes to the rescue of John Wesley Weasel, 
bravely saving him from certain death in the clutches of the powerful Cockatrice.

Next it is Chauntecleer's turn to fight Cockatrice.  He straps on his old weapons, 
Gaff and Slasher, and flies out to meet the deadly rooster-snake.  Chauntecleer 
appears to be no match for Cockatrice who easily knocks him out of the air in 
powerful diving attacks.  At Cockatrice's third attack, he seems sure to finish 
Chauntecleer off, but in a bold and desperate move, Chauntecleer uses Cockatrice's 
speed to his advantage and mortally wounds the enemy.  But Chauntecleer is nearly 
killed himself; every bone in his body broken.  Yet, the third and final round 
remains--the battle against Wyrm himself!

Chauntecleer loses all hope at the prospect of Wyrm's impending attack.  He is 
ready to die and, in his despair, turns on his closest friend, Mundo Cani, 
cursing him as a traitor.  But Chauntecleer hasn't been chosen to meet this 
final challenge.  That task falls to Mundo Cani.  Read the book to see how it 
turns out.