When a greedy nobleman steals the purse a rooster intends for his poor master, the rooster crows out the truth: "Give back the pennies you stole!" But the nobleman hears only impudence, and he orders the rooster thrown down a well. But neither the well’s deep water, nor an oven’s heat, nor cattle’s hard hooves can stop this "impudent" rooster, whose amazing powers win back the purse and reverse the nobleman’s fortunes. Children will relish the energetic language and interplay of magic and justice in this read-aloud tale. Holly Berry’s stylized illustrations, inspired by Romanian folk-art designs and bursting with color and humor, give this book the dimensions of a classic.