DOCSLIB.ORG

To Kill a Cocktrice by Brady Solomon ‘18

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
To Kill a Cocktrice by Brady Solomon ‘18 To Kill A Cocktrice by Brady Solomon ‘18 There was a hesitant-sounding serious about this? It wasn’t like him anyway?” knock on the door. Jurian was to care about much except money, “Damn. Weasels are apparently impressed. A person being hesitant to beer, and fighting. immune to its stare. What about a knock was simple, but it took skill to “They don’t exist?” said Günther, mirror? It might turn itself to stone if make the actual noise sound hesitant. fuming. “Well, that’s good. Maybe it sees itself in the mirror, or at least He opened the door––hesitantly, you could tell that to the one that just attack its reflection until it’s tired.” because someone who was unhappy destroyed my house.” “Oh, I can get a mirror. That’s easy.” enough about seeing him to knock • • • “Good. Make sure the reflection like that was most likely someone he Jurian had never really believed is clear––and find some weapons too. didn’t much want to see either. He in cockatrices. Sure, there were some I don’t know if we can trust all these looked outside. He shut the door with magical creatures out there; he’d tales. When you’ve got what we need, very little hesitation at all. never forget the night the phoenix meet me back here.” Günther was standing on his had flown over his village, just after • • • doorstep. Jurian didn’t know what he his father had died. But cockatrices Jurian returned a short time wanted, but whatever it was, he could sounded too far-fetched to be real; later with a crossbow and a book. find someone else to bother. It had just because a snake or toad decided Günther was waiting for him with a been nearly a fortnight since Günther to raise a rooster’s egg didn’t mean greatsword and pike. A mirror rested had broken the Wymond family sword it should grow up to be some sort of against the wall next to him. and he still hadn’t been able to find draconic abomination. “Good, you’re ready,” Jurian said. anyone who could fix it properly. The giant winged rooster-lizard “We need to get the mirror in front But… he’d looked troubled. squatting on the rubble of Günther’s of the cockatrice without looking Anything serious enough to concern home and eating his neighbor was at it or getting too close––oh! I did a man like Günther was worrying making him seriously doubt his some research while I was gone––” he indeed. He supposed it wouldn’t hurt previous beliefs. held up the book, “––and as it turns to see what he wanted. Besides, he “Okay, so maybe they do out, pretty much everything about could always just turn him away. He exist,” Jurian said to Gunther. They a cockatrice is deadly. If there’s any opened the door, hesitantly, again. were crouching behind a short wall part of them that isn’t venomous, “What do you want, Günther?” he a stone’s throw away from the it’s poisonous or otherwise toxic, asked, sighing. cockatrice. “In that case, the first step so try to avoid its beak, talons, tail, “You, uh… you know about would be to avoid all eye contact. If wingtips, spit, saliva, or breath. Good monsters, right?” Günther asked as he some of the other stories are true, luck out there.” scratched the back of his neck. that thing could turn you to stone “Hang on just a minute, kid,” Researching magical creatures just by looking at you––so don’t get Günther replied. “First of all, was a hobby of Jurian’s, and most of up for a second peek!” He grabbed calm down. This isn’t one of your the village knew it. He’d probably Günther’s tunic and dragged him back storybooks. That thing over there been to every hut in town looking below the wall. killed two more morons while you for new books on the subject. “I read “It’s eating my pig!” Günther were gone; the idiots were trying get about them, yeah. What’s it to you?” wailed. underneath it or something; I don’t “Do you know anything about a “Better it than you,” Jurian know for sure, because it took them dragon with a rooster’s head?” replied, although he was starting to out before they were fifteen feet from “Rooster’s head… cockatrice, doubt it. “Now shut up and let me it. Secondly, what the hell makes you probably. It could also be a basilisk, think. Okay… do you know if anyone think I’m gonna go out in the open, in depending on your source. Why do in this village has a weasel? A living front of that monster, to set up your you ask?” one,” he added. Most people in the stupid mirror?” “How do I kill one?” Günther asked, village would shoot anything, so long “Because it’s now eating your disregarding Jurian’s question. as it moved and had more hair than cow, and I doubt it’ll stop there.” “I’m pretty sure they don’t exist, Günther or his friends. Günther considered this. “Fine, so… you don’t, I suppose.” Jurian “Why the hell would I know that? I’ll do it. But you’re gonna need to was confused. Why was Günther so And what do you want a weasel for, make a distraction if it starts heading Apotheosis | 10 | Summer 2018 KEQ 4 .indd 6 4/26/18 2:22 PM my way. Throw some rocks around or all too soon. Jurian barged through but I’d rather not find out. I’ll try to something.” the house’s doorway, Günther in tow. get it to see itself in the mirror, which “Sure. Sure, I can do that. I’d go The cockatrice spread its wings, and I hope will stop it long enough for now, though. You don’t want to wait with a single powerful beat, was you to kill it.” He paused and took a for it to get bored with the cow.” airborne. Jurian released Günther, deep breath. “You ready?” Günther Reluctantly, Günther stood slammed the door shut, and collapsed nodded, silent. “Alright. Let’s go.” and grabbed the mirror. He quietly against the wall. Jurien opened the door and they hopped over the wall and crept out After taking a brief moment to snuck out, as quietly as possible onto the gravel road outside his recover, Jurian crawled over to where with four weapons between them. home. When he was about forty Günther lay. He was breathing, but The cockatrice was slowly prowling feet from the cockatrice, he stopped not very much. Jurian nudged his arm, down the road, evidently searching and gently propped the mirror on a then pushed it, and then, when that for them. Now off to its side, the pair nearby rock, facing the beast. failed to elicit a response, he slapped checked their weapons one last time, He hadn’t made it ten feet when him in the face. and charged out onto the road. the mirror slipped and fell with a In an instant, Günther was on top Günther thrusted the pike at the clang on the gravel. The cockatrice of Jurian, pinning him to the floor. cockatrice’s head as it turned to immediately looked up from what “Hey, hey! Get off me! I just face its unexpected opponents, but was left of its meal. It turned its saved your life, do you realize that?” he aimed too high; the tip stabbed bloodstained beak toward the noise, Jurian yelled as Günther put his fist through the fleshy comb atop the and then, raising its head, it shrieked. back to punch him. Günther paused rooster-like head, and with a savage The sound slammed through for a moment with a dazed look in twist of its neck, the cockatrice pulled Jurian’s head. It seemed to ignore his his eyes, before lowering his arm and the weapon from Günther’s hands, eardrums entirely and go straight for complying. staggering him. his brain, which felt like it had a vice “What the hell happened back As Günther made his attack, Jurian tightening down on it. He covered his there, man? Those eyes––it felt like positioned himself in front of the ears and put his head between his it was staring into my soul, and there cockatrice’s body and held the mirror knees, waiting for it to end. was nothing I could do to stop it,” he high. “Günther, a little help? I need it After just a few seconds and moaned, breaking down. to look my way!” an eternity later, the cockatrice fell “Calm down, Günther. Listen, Günther, recovering from the stagger, silent. Jurian raised his head and it’s probably going to be back soon. grabbed a stone from the ground peeked over the wall. He could see I don’t know where I hit it, but I get and threw it toward the mirror Günther writhing in agony as the last the feeling it’s not too happy with before backing away and drawing his echoes of the abominable shriek died me about it. So get it together, man, greatsword. The rock sailed through away. Finally recovering, Günther because if we aren’t ready to kill it the air and hit the mirror with a lifted himself up––and found himself when it returns, I doubt it’ll be kind metallic ting. The cockatrice turned, staring straight at the cockatrice.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • R2 C1 C2 C1 Beasts
    BEA S T S CREATURE ST TO AG INT WP FEL A/C/E WOUND S STAN C E BOAR 5 (4) 6 (2) 3 (1) 1 4 1 6/0/1 15 R2 S TAT CO C KATR ic E 4 (4) 4 (2) 5 (2) 2 3 1 3/3/2 12 C1 6 X S I 5 (4) 4 ∆ (3) 2 (2) 1 3 1 4/0/1 14 C1 COLD ONE END pp A DRAGON 7 ∆ (8) 8 (3) 5 (2) 8 7 ∆ 6 8/6/6 40 C2 REATURE C FEN B EA S T 6 ∆ (5) 5 ∆ (2) 2 (1) 1 3 1 5/0/1 18 C1 BEA S T Abi L I TY FEN B EA S T Abi L I T I E S Instinctive: Beasts may use Willpower instead of Intelligence Terrifying: A fenbeast has Terror 2. when attempting Observation checks. Fenwalker: A fenbeast may ignore terrain-based manoeuvre penal- BOAR Abi L I T I E S ties and up to two ∆∆ misfortune dice penalties to movement and Fast: Boars require only 1 manoeuvre to move between medium actions performed while in marshy terrain. range and long range, and 2 manoeuvres to move between long and extreme range. Regeneration: A fenbeast in marshy terrain recovers 1 normal wound at the end of each of its End of Turn phases. Regeneration CO C KATR ic E Abi L I T I E S does not work during a round when the fenbeast is wounded by fire. Flight: A cockatrice does not need to perform a manoeuvre to No Will: If a fenbeast is not within extreme range of a controlling disengage from opponents before moving.
    [Show full text]
  • Confounding Castle Pages 27-28
    As you enter the next room, you hear a rustling in the dark, followed by a hiss. Four eyes peer out of the shadows, watching you. You stand perfectly still, making sure not to move, as a creature steps out into the light and looks you over. At first, it just seems like an odd looking, out of place chicken – perhaps a little bit bigger than other chickens you might have seen, but other than that, just a regular bird. But something about it seems off, and after a moment, you realize what it is – this bird doesn’t have a tail. Then, you realize that you’re wrong. It does have a tail, but its tail is a living snake, a second pair of eyes that stare at you. “What are you doing in my larder?” the creature squawks at you. You explain that you’re just trying to find your way to the Griffin’s tower, and it calms down considerably. “Oh, okay then. I don’t like people poking around in here, but if you’re just passing through it’s no problem. The ladder up into the Clock tower is right over there.” You are ready to leave, but curiosity overtakes you, and you ask the creature what it is. “I shall answer your question,” it hisses, “with a song.” Then, it throws back its bird head and begins to crow. I am the mighty cockatrice I like to eat up grains of rice But I also enjoy munching mice I do not like the cold or ice I’ve said it once and I will say it thrice I am the Cockactrice! I am the Cockatrice! “Myself, along with the Griffin, the Dragon, and a few others, all came to live here with the Wizard.
    [Show full text]
  • The Integration of Mythical Creatures in the Harry Potter Series
    University of Hawai‘i at Hilo HOHONU 2015 Vol. 13 orange eyes. (Stone 235) Harry's first year introduces the The Integration of Mythical traditional serpentine dragon, something that readers Creatures in the Harry Potter can envision with confidence and clarity. The fourth year, however, provides a vivid insight on the break Series from tradition as Harry watches while “four fully grown, Terri Pinyerd enormous, vicious-looking dragons were rearing onto English 200D their hind legs inside an enclosure fenced with thick Fall 2014 planks of wood, roaring and snorting—torrents of fire were shooting into the dark sky from their open, fanged From the naturalistic expeditions of Pliny the mouths, fifty feet above the ground on their outstretched Elder, to the hobbit's journey across Middle Earth, necks” (Goblet 326). This is a change from the treasure the literary world has been immersed in the alluring hoarding, princess stealing, riddle loving dragons of presence of mythical and fabulous creatures. Ranging fantasy and fairy tales; these are beasts that can merely from the familiar winged dragon to the more unusual be restrained, not tamed. It is with this that Rowling and obscure barometz, the mythical creature brings with sets the feel for her series. The reader is told that not it a sense of imagined history that allows the reader to everything is as it seems, or is expected to be. Danger is become immersed in its world; J.K Rowling's best-selling real, even for wizards. Harry Potter series is one of these worlds. This paper will If the dragon is the embodiment of evil and analyze the presence of classic mythical creatures in the greed, the unicorn is its counterpart as the symbol of Harry Potter series, along with the addition of original innocence and purity.
    [Show full text]
  • Famous Warsaw Legends
    Famous Warsaw Legends Photo Main figure Description The Warsaw Mermaid Statue Presented as half fish and half woman. Images of a mermaid have been used on the crest of Warsaw as its symbol. From the middle of 14th century. Legend tells that once upon a time two mermaid sisters swam to the shores of the Baltic Sea from their home in the depths. They were truly beautiful, even though they had fish tails instead of legs. One of them decided to swim further towards the Danish straits. Now she can be seen sitting on a rock an the entry to the port of Copenhagen. The second swam to the seaside town, Gdańsk. And then, up the Vistula River (…)then she came out of the Water (…) to rest. She liked it so much that she decided to stay. The fishermen who used to live in this area noticed that when they were fishing, someone was agitating the waters of the Vistula River , tangling their nets and freeing fish from their traps. They decided to catch the culprit and get even with him once and for all. But when they heard the enchanting song of the mermaid, they gave up Polish Mermaid their plans and came to love the beautiful woman-fish. From that time, every evening, she entertained them with her wonderful singing. But one day, a rich merchant strolling on the banks of the Vistula River caught sight of the little mermaid. He decided to catch her and keep her as a prisoner, and then make money by showing her at fairs.
    [Show full text]
  • The Senses in Early Modern England, 1558–1660
    The senses in early modern England, 1558–1660 Edited by Simon Smith, Jacqueline Watson, and Amy Kenny MANCHESTER 1824 Manchester University Press Simon Smith, Jackie Watson, and Amy Kenny - 9781526146465 www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.ukDownloaded from manchesterhive.com at 09/27/2021 05:33:41PM via free access The senses in early modern England, 1558–1660 Simon Smith, Jackie Watson, and Amy Kenny - 9781526146465 Downloaded from manchesterhive.com at 09/27/2021 05:33:41PM via free access MUP_Smith_Printer.indd 1 02/04/2015 16:18 Simon Smith, Jackie Watson, and Amy Kenny - 9781526146465 Downloaded from manchesterhive.com at 09/27/2021 05:33:41PM via free access MUP_Smith_Printer.indd 2 02/04/2015 16:18 The senses in early modern England, 1558–1660 edited by simon smith, jackie watson and amy kenny Manchester University Press Simon Smith, Jackie Watson, and Amy Kenny - 9781526146465 Downloaded from manchesterhive.com at 09/27/2021 05:33:41PM via free access MUP_Smith_Printer.indd 3 02/04/2015 16:18 Copyright © Manchester University Press 2015 While copyright in the volume as a whole is vested in Manchester University Press, copyright in individual chapters belongs to their respective authors, and no chapter may be reproduced wholly or in part without the express permission in writing of both author and publisher. Published by Manchester University Press Altrincham Street, Manchester M1 7JA www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data applied for isbn 978 07190 9158 2 hardback First published 2015 The publisher has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or any third-party internet websites referred to in this book, and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
    [Show full text]
  • Heraldic Terms
    HERALDIC TERMS The following terms, and their definitions, are used in heraldry. Some terms and practices were used in period real-world heraldry only. Some terms and practices are used in modern real-world heraldry only. Other terms and practices are used in SCA heraldry only. Most are used in both real-world and SCA heraldry. All are presented here as an aid to heraldic research and education. A LA CUISSE, A LA QUISE - at the thigh ABAISED, ABAISSÉ, ABASED - a charge or element depicted lower than its normal position ABATEMENTS - marks of disgrace placed on the shield of an offender of the law. There are extreme few records of such being employed, and then only noted in rolls. (As who would display their device if it had an abatement on it?) ABISME - a minor charge in the center of the shield drawn smaller than usual ABOUTÉ - end to end ABOVE - an ambiguous term which should be avoided in blazon. Generally, two charges one of which is above the other on the field can be blazoned better as "in pale an X and a Y" or "an A and in chief a B". See atop, ensigned. ABYSS - a minor charge in the center of the shield drawn smaller than usual ACCOLLÉ - (1) two shields side-by-side, sometimes united by their bottom tips overlapping or being connected to each other by their sides; (2) an animal with a crown, collar or other item around its neck; (3) keys, weapons or other implements placed saltirewise behind the shield in a heraldic display.
    [Show full text]
  • End of an Animal
    University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2021 End of an Animal Alyx Brittany Chandler University of Montana, Missoula Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Chandler, Alyx Brittany, "End of an Animal" (2021). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 11726. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/11726 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. END OF AN ANIMAL By ALYX BRITTANY CHANDLER Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Information Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 2016 Bachelor of Science in Commerce & Business Administration, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 2016 Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Poetry The University of Montana Missoula, MT May 2021 Approved by: Scott Whittenburg, Dean of The Graduate School Graduate School Keetje Kuipers, Chair Department of Creative Writing Sean Hill Department of Creative Writing Dr. Sara Hayden Department of Communication Studies Chandler, Alyx, M.F.A., Spring 2021 Creative Writing End of an Animal Chairperson: Keetje Kuipers Co-Chairpeople: Sean Hill, Sara Hayden End of an Animal explores the imagined and the contradictory realities of growing up in the South near the Gulf through lyrical poetics and uncompromising language.
    [Show full text]
  • The Prosecution and Punishment of Animals and Lifeless Things in the Middle Ages and Modern Times
    THE PROSECUTION AND PUNISHMENT OF ANIMALS AND LIFELESS THINGS IN THE MIDDLE AGES AND MODERN TIMES. The Prytaneum was the Hotel de Ville of Athens as of every Greek town. In it was the common hearth of the city, which represented the unity and vitality of the community. From its perpetual fire, colonists, like the American Indians, would carry sparks to their new homes, as a symbol of fealty to the mother city, and here in very early times the prytanis or chief- tain probably dwvelt. In the Prytaneum at Athens the statues of Eirene (Peace) and Hestia (Ilearth) stood; foreign ambassa- dors, famous citizens, athletes, and strangers were entertained there at the public expense; the laws of the great law-giver Solon were displayed within it and before his day the chief archon made it his home. One of the important features of the Prytaneum at Athens were the curious murder trials held in its immediate vicinity. Many Greek writers mention these trials, which appear to have comprehended three kinds of cases. In the first place, if a murderer was unknown or could not be found, he was never- theless tri'ed at this court.' Then inanimate things-such as stones, beams, pliece of iron, ctc.,-which had caused the death of a man by falling upon him-were put on trial at the Pry- tancuni ;2 and lastly animals, which had similarly been the cause 3 of death. Though all these trials were of a ceremonial character, they were carried on with due process of law. Thus, as in all murder trials at Athens, because of 'the religious feeling back of them that such crimes were against the gods as much as against men, they took place in the open air, that the judges might not be contaminated by the pollution supposed to exhale from the 'Aristotle, Constitulion (if :thens, 57, 4; Pollux, Vill, x2o; cf.
    [Show full text]
  • Dragons and Serpents in JK Rowling's <I>Harry Potter</I> Series
    Volume 27 Number 1 Article 6 10-15-2008 Dragons and Serpents in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series: Are They Evil? Lauren Berman University of Haifa, Israel Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore Part of the Children's and Young Adult Literature Commons Recommended Citation Berman, Lauren (2008) "Dragons and Serpents in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series: Are They Evil?," Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature: Vol. 27 : No. 1 , Article 6. Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol27/iss1/6 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Mythopoeic Society at SWOSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature by an authorized editor of SWOSU Digital Commons. An ADA compliant document is available upon request. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To join the Mythopoeic Society go to: http://www.mythsoc.org/join.htm Mythcon 51: A VIRTUAL “HALFLING” MYTHCON July 31 - August 1, 2021 (Saturday and Sunday) http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythcon-51.htm Mythcon 52: The Mythic, the Fantastic, and the Alien Albuquerque, New Mexico; July 29 - August 1, 2022 http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythcon-52.htm Abstract Investigates the role and symbolism of dragons and serpents in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, with side excursions into Lewis and Tolkien for their takes on the topic. Concludes that dragons are morally neutral in her world, while serpents generally represent or are allied with evil.
    [Show full text]
  • National Geographic's Presentation Of: The
    NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S PRESENTATION OF: THE SECRETS OF FREEMASONRY Research From The Library of: Dr. Robin Loxley, D.D. Copyright 2006 INTRODUCTION It is obvious that NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC got a hold of information from other resources and decided to do a cable presentation on May 22, 2006, which narrates most of my website threads in short two hour special. It was humorous to see Masons being interviewed and trying to fool the public with flattering speech. I watched the National Geographic special entitled: THE SECRETS OF FREEMASONRY and I was humored to see some of what I’ve studied as coming out of the closet. My first response was: Where was National Geographic during the 1980s with this information? Anyways, it’s nice to know that they had an excellent presentation and I was impressed with how they went about explaining the layout of Washington D.C. I was laughing hysterically when a Mason was interviewed for his opinion about the PENTGRAM being laid out in a street design but incomplete. The Mason made a statement: “There is a line missing from the Pentagram so it’s not really a Pentagram. If it was a Pentagram, then why is there a line missing?” He downplays the street layout of the Pentagram with its bottom point touching the White House. The Mason was obviously IGNORANT of one detail that I caught right away as to why there was ONE LINE MISSING from the pentagram in the street layout. If you didn’t catch it, the right side of the pentagram star (Bottom right line) is missing from the street layout, thus it would prove that the pentagram wasn’t completed.
    [Show full text]
  • Create Your Family Crest! You Can Put What Makes Your Family Special Or
    Create your family Cut the crest out and crest! You can put paste it on your shield what makes your (pizza round). Color family special or and decorate your things you like! crest/shield! Cut out or draw shapes that represent your family! CREATING A COAT OF ARMS Mythological Creatures Occasionally mythological creatures did appear on a coat of arms and the crests. These held particular significance in heraldry. • Centaur – Eminence in the field of battle • Cockatrice – Terror to all beholders • Dragon/wyvern (dragon with only two legs) – Valiant defender of treasure; valour and protection • Griffin (head, wings, and talons of an eagle with the body of a lion) – Valor and death-defying bravery; vigilance • Harpy (virgin’s face, neck and breast with the body of a lion) – Ferocity under provocation • Hydra (dragon with seven heads) – Conquest of a very powerful enemy • Mermaid – Eloquence • Pegasus – Poetic genius and inspiration; messenger of God • Phoenix – Symbol of resurrection • Sphinx – Omniscience and secrecy • Unicorn – Extreme courage; virtue and strength SYMBOLS Agricultural tools – Laboring in the earth and depending upon providence Anchor – Hope; religious steadfastness Anvil – Honor Arrow – Readiness for battle; if depicted with a cross this represents an affliction Axe (or Battle Axe) – Execution of military duty Banners – Special action in which bearer was captured, or a reward for valiant service Bar, Barry or Barrulet – Someone who sets the bar of conscience, religion and honor against angry passions and evil temptations Baton – Authority Bells – Power to disperse evil spirits. A hawk’s bells denotes one who was not afraid of signalling his approach in peace or war Bones – Mortality Book – Open – manifestation; closed – counsel Bow – Readiness for battle Bridge – Governor or magistrate Broom – Humilty Buckle – Victorious fidelity in authority Cannon and Cannon Balls – Someone who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle Chains – Reward for acceptable and weighty service.
    [Show full text]
  • Nature on Trial: the Case of the Rooster That Laid an Egg
    Comparative Civilizations Review Volume 10 Number 10 Civilizations East and West: A Article 7 Memorial Volume for Benjamin Nelson 1-1-1985 Nature on Trial: The Case of the Rooster That Laid an Egg E. V. Walter Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/ccr Recommended Citation Walter, E. V. (1985) "Nature on Trial: The Case of the Rooster That Laid an Egg," Comparative Civilizations Review: Vol. 10 : No. 10 , Article 7. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/ccr/vol10/iss10/7 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Comparative Civilizations Review by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Walter: Nature on Trial: The Case of the Rooster That Laid an Egg 5. Nature on Trial: The Case of the Rooster That Laid an Egg E. V. Walter In 1474, a chicken passing for a rooster laid an egg, and was prosecuted by law in the city of Basel. Now, we are inclined to dismiss the event as fowl play, but in those days lusus naturae was no joke. The animal was sentenced in a solemn judicial proceeding and condemned to be burned alive "for the heinous and unnatural crime of laying an egg." The execution took place "with as great solemnity as would have been observed in consigning a heretic to the flames, and was witnessed by an immense crowd of townsmen and peasants." 1 The same kind of prosecution took place in Switzerland again as late as 1730.
    [Show full text]