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The Hundredth Dove

Writer:- Jane Yolen

Summary

The tale “The Hundredth Dove” revolves around a fowler named Hugh, known for his hunting skills in providing game birds for the king’s table. When summoned to the court, Hugh becomes captivated by Lady Columba, the king’s bride-to-be, who possesses exceptional beauty. The king commands Hugh to capture one hundred birds, including a white dove, for the wedding feast. Despite his efforts, Hugh fails to capture the elusive white dove several times but remains determined to fulfill the king’s request.

Eventually, Hugh successfully captures the white dove, which offers him various temptations in exchange for its freedom, including gold, silver, fame, and the love of the queen. However, Hugh stays true to his motto, “Servo” (meaning “I serve”), and resists the offers. He breaks the dove’s neck and removes the motto from his tunic.

In the end, Hugh delivers the hundred doves, including the deceased white dove, to the king’s kitchen. The wedding, however, does not take place. Hugh gives up hunting and lives a simple life, feeding birds in a clearing. He wears a gold ring around his neck and occasionally touches the torn spot on his tunic, symbolizing the sacrifices made and the elusive beauty of the white dove.

The tale explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the pursuit of beauty. It portrays Hugh’s unwavering dedication to serving his king and the forest, emphasizing integrity over personal gain. The ending leaves a sense of melancholy, reminding readers of the white dove’s beauty and the sacrifices made by the fowler.

Understanding

1. Why is the fowler summoned to the palace?

ans: The fowler, Hugh, is summoned to the palace because the king intends to inform him about his upcoming marriage and ordered fowler to serve one hundred of the birds at his wedding feast.

2. Lady Columba is slim and fair with dark eyes. Who else in the story is described in the same way?

ans: The white dove in the story is also described as being slim and fair, similar to Lady Columba.

3. When visiting the palace, Hugh kisses the gold ring on Lady Columba`s finger. When does he see that ring again?

ans: Hugh sees the gold ring on Lady Columba’s finger again when he captures the white dove in the forest. As he holds the dove in his hands, he notices the ring shining and glittering on the dove’s foot.

4. Why does Hugh refuse the dove`s offer of wealth and fame?

ans: Hugh refuses the dove’s offer of wealth and fame because his loyalty lies with his master, the king, and with the forest. Despite the temptations presented by the dove, Hugh remains steadfast in his commitment to serve his master and the natural world around him.

5. Why can the dove promise the queen`s love in exchange for freedom?

ans: The dove can promise the queen’s love in exchange for freedom because it is revealed that the dove itself is Lady Columba in disguise. The golden ring on the dove’s foot serves as a clue to its true identity as Lady Columba, as it matches the description of the ring on her finger when Hugh first sees her in the palace. By offering the promise of the queen’s love, the dove seeks to tempt Hugh with the prospect of a romantic relationship and a life of happiness with Lady Columba.

6. What does Hugh cry out as he kills the dove? Why does he rip the motto from his tunic?

ans: As Hugh kills the dove, he cries out “Servo,” which is the motto sewn on his tunic, meaning “I serve.” This cry signifies his loyalty and dedication to serving his master, the king. However, after killing the dove and realizing its true identity as Lady Columba, Hugh experiences a change of heart. He rips the motto from his tunic as a symbolic act of rejecting his previous allegiance and devotion to serving others, particularly the king.

7. In what way does the fowler serve his king exactly as promised? In what way does he fail to serve the king?

ans: The fowler named Hugh serves his king by providing game birds for the high king’s table. He is skilled in hunting and ensures that the high king receives an ample supply of birds for feasts and celebrations. This is how he fulfills his duty and serves the king faithfully.

However, where Hugh fails to serve the king is in his inability to capture the elusive white dove that the king desires for the wedding feast. Despite his best efforts and expertise, the white dove repeatedly escapes his net, and Hugh falls short of capturing a hundred doves as requested by the king. This failure to fulfill the king’s specific request can be seen as a form of inadequacy in serving the king’s precise needs.

8. Why doesn`t the wedding between the king and Lady Columba take place?

ans: The wedding between the king and Lady Columba does not take place because of the fowler’s failure to capture a hundred doves for the wedding feast. The king had requested that the fowler provide one hundred birds, including the elusive white dove, as a tribute to Lady Columba. However, despite his efforts, the fowler was unable to capture the white dove, falling short of the king’s expectations.

The failure to provide the requested birds becomes a significant obstacle and leads to the cancellation of the marriage ceremony between the king and Lady Columba.

Rhetoric/Language/Writing

1. Foreshadowing is a hint, a warning signal, at the beginning of a story that something disturbing or tragic is going to happen. Why do you think the writer uses foreshadowing in this story?

ans: The writer may use foreshadowing in this tale to create a sense of anticipation and tension in the narrative. By providing hints or warning signals at the beginning of the story, the writer prepares the reader for the possibility of something disturbing or tragic happening later on. Foreshadowing can serve multiple purposes, including building suspense, creating a sense of foreboding, and engaging the reader’s curiosity about the unfolding events.

In the case of this tale, the use of foreshadowing could be employed to generate intrigue and capture the reader’s attention from the outset. It sets the stage for potential conflicts and challenges that the characters may face, heightening the emotional impact of the story. By establishing early on that there is a significant task at hand for the fowler and the mention of his unwavering commitment to serve, the reader is primed for a potentially difficult or consequential outcome. The foreshadowing in the tale helps create a narrative arc that builds towards a climactic moment or realization, adding depth and suspense to the overall storytelling.

Discussion

1. The fowler`s motto is Servo. The motto expresses the main principle by which he lives. Make up a motto that fits your life. In one paragraph, name the motto and explain why you choose it.

ans: Motto: Embrace Growth, Embody Change.

I choose this motto because I believe in the power of personal growth and the transformative nature of embracing change. Life is a journey of continuous learning and evolution, and by embracing growth, we open ourselves to new experiences, knowledge, and perspectives. Change can be intimidating, but it is through change that we discover our true potential and unlock new opportunities. This motto reminds me to be open-minded, adaptable, and resilient in the face of challenges and to actively seek personal and intellectual growth. It encourages me to embrace change as a catalyst for self-improvement, self-discovery, and a fulfilling life journey.

2. What do you think is the moral of the story?

ans: The moral of this tale can be interpreted as the importance of staying true to one’s principles and values, even in the face of temptation and allure. Hugh, the fowler, embodies integrity and loyalty to his king and the forest. Despite the enticing offers of wealth, fame, and love, he remains steadfast in his commitment to serve his master and the natural world. The tale emphasizes the value of honor, selflessness, and the ability to resist temptations that compromise one’s core values. It teaches us the significance of staying true to ourselves and the principles that guide our actions, even when faced with challenging circumstances or tempting shortcuts.

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