The Friars Tale

by WilRei9650

As the pilgrims set off for Canterbury, the Friar indulges the company with a tale of two plants, one prideful and one humble. He speaks of the importance of not being prideful and being humble. Although, he begins to act prideful himself, not liking when his pride is brought to the attention of the company.

A/N Based off of Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, done in 12th grade.

Assignment:
This is an assignment that I had. I believe that the assignment was to attempt to copy the style of Geoffrey Chaucer and to analyze two of the tales and characters from the Canterbury Tales. I did enjoy this assignment.

The Friars Prologue:

The group of pilgrims made their way down the road toward Canterbury. As they journeyed, they enjoyed each other's company and conversations. They had been telling each other tales of influence to entertain themselves. Although, many of the stories revealed flaws in their character that they indeed did not wish to be known amongst others. After the Nuns Priest had said her tale, there was a silence that clouded heavily among the company, that is until the Friar decided to speak, "That was an interesting tale Nuns Priest, but why not listen to another, one that makes much more sense?" the Friar said, adjusting himself upon his horse so as to appear authoritative and wise, "Thus, I must begin my tale, of two plants and a honey bee..."

The Friars Tale:

"There was once a flower of beauty and vibrancy, along with another flower that was withering and dying. One day, a honey bee approached the two, which were side by side. Every day, the bee would complement both plants, telling them both that they were beautiful and lovely. He would then continue to pollinate them both, telling the withering flower that she would become a beautiful lily and bear many seeds to produce many more beautiful flowers. When the bee would say such, the beautiful flower would scoff, saying, "She will never become beautiful, she is far too hideous! She will wither away and eventually die, no one can outshine my beauty!" The bee would then smile to the other and continue on his way, paying no attention to the other flower. Every day, the thriving flower would mock the other, boasting on how it was lovelier and flourished more, making beautiful seeds to create others like herself, and every day the bee would come to the two, compliment them, pollinate them both, ignore the other, and then leave. As the days continued on in this fashion, and the bee continued to pollinate the withering flower as the other mocked, the lovelier grew withered and the withered grew lovelier, until one day, the other was almost completely decomposed. The bee came to visit the two and finally spoke to the now withered flower, "I haven't spoken to you, but I did what I presumed was aide you in your growth. For I presumed that you would understand that your demeanor towards your companion would have consequences. If you have been kind to her, and not prideful, the pollen would've helped you thrive, but instead, you will die as an outcome of your boasting." Moments before her death, the flower looked upon the bee and now exquisite lily, with her final breath, proclaimed, "I am still much lovelier and exquisite than you!" and then withered away into nothing.

The Friars Epilogue:

Once the Friar finished, he looked around at his peers who had been listening intently. "What exactly are you saying by this Friar?" Pardoner said. The Friar looked at pardoner as if he were a fool, "Why I am saying that there is no escape from death and the prideful plant is a perfect example of such! For she was aided in her growth, but, her pride overcame the aide of the bee, therefore she withered away for her pride." "But there is such an escape such as Chauntecleer had done." The Nuns Priest retorted. "No you fool!" the Friar shouted, frustrated, "There is no escape! Listen to me! I am much wiser than you Peasants, for I am a Holy man of the Church!" "And why do you say such a thing, Friar? You are still a man, no better than the rest of us, you are still flawed by the flesh, even if you are as holy as you claim." the Parson said, "I am much wiser than you Parson, I am well respected by all, and you are only a parson, poor and insignificant! I am saying that pride is one of the most harmful sins, and if you are lost among it, you will surely die and spend eternity apart from God." "But isn't that exactly what you are perceiving right at this moment? For you are acting prideful amongst us, as you say 'Peasants', and acting as if you are better than us, but you are no better, you are still a man, a man of pride." the parson said. "You do not understand what such claim you have made, of course I know that I am of the flesh, but I am more wise than the rest of you, for because of this, you should listen and follow what I have to say." the Friar said, discontented with the company that he was in. The Parson was to say more, but was cut short by the knight, "Now my fellow friends, let us not be angry with each other, let us enjoy each other's company and be jolly once again!" The Friar scoffed and continued on his way ahead of the Pilgrims.