Rock-A-Doodle

Once upon a time,

back before I knew how to tie my shoes, the sun came up.

Now, I know an everyday sunrise

may not seem like such a big deal to some folks.

But, imagine for a moment,

if instead of rising up like this,

one morning where you lived,

she took a look around and decided to go back to sleep.

It happened once to us.

Let me tell you all about it.

This was our rooster, Chanticleer.

And though it was true that he like to horse around some,

fact was, that boy could sing.

We all had our jobs on the farm,

and Chanticleer's was to wake up the sun.

And when he crowed, up she came.

Hey, look, here's me tying my shoes.

Hi, Patou, what you doin'?

I'm trying to tie these doggone shoes.

Again?

Well, hi ladies.

Oh, he's so handsome.

Sings like a dream.

He's a dream.

And he's single, too.

He maybe wasn't the smartest bird that ever lived,

but when he crowed, there was plenty of peace and harmony.

Hey!

Well, plenty of harmony, anyway.

And lots of sunshine.

There was no doubt about it.

Old Chanticleer kept us animals up and shining.

Good day, Mr. Chanticleer.

But all that was about to change.

One morning, before Chanticleer was even awake.

Hey, Chanticleer.

A stranger snuck onto our farm

to stop Chanticleer from crowing.

Of course, Chanticleer wouldn't give up without a fight.

But what he didn't know

was that this stranger had been sent

by the Grand Duke of Owls.

Nasty fella.

The good news here was that Chanticleer had won the fight.

The bad news was, the Grand Duke's bully

had done his dirty deed, for in all the commotion

Chanticleer had plum forgot to crow.

And the sun was comin' up without him.

When Chanticleer saw this, it broke his heart.

He reckoned maybe his crow never did raise the sun.

Look, it's comin' up without him.

You're a phony.

He's a fake!

Hey, everybody, cock-a-doodle-doo!

The Grand Duke's evil plan had worked.

He had turned us against our very best friend.

And without a reason to crow, poor Chanticleer

left the farm to look for work in the city.

Then came the rain, and our troubles with the Duke.

Who's that, Mom?

That's the Grand Duke.

He's the one who's causing all the trouble.

He sent that mean old rooster

to Chanticleer's farm to pick a fight.

Hm, how come?

Because he didn't like Chanticleer doing all that crowing

and bringing up the sun.

How come?

Well, like most owls, he likes the darkness and the rain.

I'm not afraid of the dark.

Oh, it's you.

You scared me!

Dory, we got big problems.

Have you looked out there?

If that rain doesn't stop,

we're all gonna go floatin' down the river.

This is my favorite part of the story.

His name is Edmond, of course

he didn't look quite like this when I first met him.

Anyhow, we weren't the only folks having our troubles.

Poor Edmond's family was having their share too.

The river's widened too fast,

we gotta reinforce the sandbags.

Oh, you think that'll work?

We'll make it work.

I'll get the boys.

Me too!

You stop right there.

Aw Mom, I'm one of the boys.

He meant the big boys.

I'm big enough.

Not yet you're not, darling.

The U.S. Weather Bureau is expecting

yet another--

Downpour in the areas worst hit by this week's flooding.

Dad, Mom, come on,

bring the stuff around to the front.

Governor Dale declared

a state of national emergency--

Come on, guys, move it.

I need some help, we've gotta get the animals inside.

So while Scott and Mark

got to help protect the house against the flood,

poor Edmond was left behind where

he'd be safe and out of trouble.

It's my house too, I wanna help.

Well then, pray for the rain to stop, and that'll help.

Dory, I can't find the flashlight!

Coming!

Now you stay here where it's safe, pumpkin.

I'm gonna help your father and I'll be right back.

Come on, dad.

Great, let's go!

Hey Dad, they said on the radio

the National Guard might come.

I am too a big boy.

"And without a reason to crow, Chanticleer left the farm.

"Then came the rain."

Mom, here!

How is she, Frank?

Just start the truck, she'll be okay.

Hey, hey!

I know what we need here.

We need Chanticleer.

Mom!

Boys, the levee's breaking!

Chanticleer!

Chanticleer!

Edmond had the right idea to call for Chanticleer,

but he never coulda guessed who was gonna answer.

Chanticleer?

No, it's not Chanticleer.

Who...

Who are you?

You put your finger in the Duke's face, remember?

These are expensive, brat!

But that is not why the Duke is going to eat you.

Eat me?

Oh dear, now I've gone and spoiled the surprise.

Oh, always doing that.

But you see, we creatures of the night

have worked very hard to make absolutely sure

that that bird does not return.

You, you, with no regard for the feelings of others,

had the nerve to call him back here by name!

And besides, I positively loathe rock and roll.

You're not gonna eat me!

And that's when the Duke hit the ceiling.

If Edmond wanted to bring Chanticleer back to raise the sun,

the Duke was gonna have somethin' to say about it.

Kittens are more digestible.

Young Edmond was about to have

the most amazing adventure he'd ever dreamed of.

Mom, Dad, wake me up!

This is where I come in.

You'll pay for this, Patou!

This does not concern you.

It does if it's about Chant--

The light, the owls hate the light!

Whew.

Hey, hey boy.

We were this close.

Oh, that flashlight biz was quick thinking on your part.

What's your name, little fella?

Edmond.

Is he gone?

Yeah, he's gone, but he'll be back

and he won't be alone, the coward.