Chicken Little is a beloved fairy tale character who has been featured in children’s stories and films for over 180 years. But his name and story have gone through several iterations over time. So what is Chicken Little’s original name and backstory? Let’s take a look at the history behind this classic character.
The Origins of Chicken Little
The story of Chicken Little dates all the way back to the early 19th century. One of the earliest printed versions appears in a 1840 children’s book called “The Remarkable Story of Chicken Little.”
Chicken Little was originally just a generic “chicken character” in folklore. But the 1840 book cemented his name as Chicken Little. Over time, he also developed his iconic catchphrase, “The sky is falling!” which he shouts in a panic after an acorn falls on his head.
Alternative Names for Chicken Little
While Chicken Little became standard in the United States, British versions of the story gave him different names:
- Henny Penny
- Chicken Licken
- Hen-Len
These rhyming names were used in several 19th century British publications Henny Penny and Chicken Licken remain popular in the UK today
So why the different names? It’s believed “Chicken Little” was an American corruption of the original “Chicken Licken” The names were changed to maintain the rhyming pattern with characters like Goosey Loosey and Turkey Lurkey
Key Details About Chicken Little
Though his name varies, several key traits and plot points have remained consistent over time:
- He is a small chicken or rooster character.
- An acorn or piece of the sky falls and hits him on the head.
- He believes the sky is falling and rallies others to go tell the king.
- On the journey, he gets eaten by a sly fox or wolf who tricks him.
The story is meant to teach a moral lesson about the dangers of mass hysteria and believing everything you hear.
Chicken Little’s Modern Portrayals
While traditional tellings end with Chicken Little getting eaten, modern retellings usually give him a happier ending.
Disney’s 1943 animated short depicted him as a young chick who saves the town from a falling piece of sky. He goes from town fool to hero.
Disney expanded on this in their 2005 CGI film Chicken Little. He is portrayed as a courageous, nerdy middle schooler who saves his town from an alien invasion.
Chicken Little has also appeared in video games like Kingdom Hearts II. He is depicted as smart, well-meaning, but anxious and prone to panic.
Why This Character Endures
Chicken Little has remained popular for so long thanks to a few key factors:
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Relatable personality: His nerves, flaws, and good heart make him relatable.
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Humor: The image of a chicken panicking about the sky is humorous.
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Good moral: The fable teaches an important lesson about mass panic.
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Adaptability: His simple story can be reinterpreted in many ways.
No matter what he’s called, Chicken Little is one of the most enduring fairy tale characters. His message about keeping a level head remains timeless.
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FAQ
Does Chicken Little have an actual name?
In the Japanese versions of the film and Kingdom Hearts II, Chicken Little is voiced by a grown woman rather than a man. He was born Ace Cluck, the baseball name of his father Buck Cluck. Chicken Little likes playing baseball. He tends to ramble sometimes.
What is a tiny chicken called?
A bantam is any small variety of fowl, usually of chicken or duck. Most large chicken breeds and several breeds of duck have a bantam counterpart, which is much smaller than the standard-sized fowl, but otherwise similar in most or all respects. A true bantam chicken is naturally small and has no large counterpart.
What is Chicken Little’s real name?
Ace “Chicken Little” Cluck is the titular protagonist of Disney’s 2005 animated feature film of the same name.
What is the name of the furry chicken?
The Silkie, also known as the Silky or Chinese silk chicken, is a Chinese breed of chicken named for its atypically fluffy plumage, which is soft to the touch, like silk or fur.