The Gamecocks and the Partridge

Summary

This story is about a partridge who is introduced to a yard of gamecocks and experiences hostility from them. Initially, the partridge is troubled by their aggression, believing it's because he is an outsider. However, when he witnesses the gamecocks fiercely fighting amongst themselves, he realizes that their behavior is not personal but rather a part of their nature. This realization comforts the partridge, teaching a lesson about understanding the inherent traits of others and not taking the behavior of others personally, especially when it’s their natural disposition. The narrative highlights themes of acceptance and self-reflection in the face of adversity.

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A Man had two Gamecocks in his poultry-yard. One day by chance he found a tame Partridge for sale. He purchased it and brought it home to be reared with his Gamecocks. When the Partridge was put into the poultry-yard, they struck at it and followed it about, so that the Partridge became grievously troubled and supposed that he was thus evilly treated because he was a stranger. Not long afterwards he saw the Cocks fighting together and not separating before one had well beaten the other. He then said to himself, “I shall no longer distress myself at being struck at by these Gamecocks, when I see that they cannot even refrain from quarreling with each other.”