The Reeve's Tale by Prescott Kirkpatrick

  • The Miller is a Thief

    The Miller steals corn and meal brought to his mill for grinding that belonged to a sick manciple.
  • John and Alan Find Out

    Two students named John and Alan hear about the Miller stealing this meal. Enraged, they decide that they will watch over the Miller next time to ensure that he does not steal again.
  • The Miller Unleashes the Horse

    John and Alan watch over the Miller as he grinds the corn. Sensing that the two students are trying to prevent him from stealing, the Miller untethers their horse and causes them to run after it.
  • The Miller Cuts the Product

    The two students finally recover their horse and the day has turned to night. Just before they come back to the Miller's house, the Miller replaces half of the corn meal with bran.
  • Sleepover at The Miller's House

    Because it is dark and John and Alan are tired, the Miller lets them stay the night at his house. The house is small so everyone sleeps in the same room. John and Alan in one bed, the Miller and his wife in another with the baby cradle beside, and the Miller's twenty year old daughter in another.
  • John and Alan Plot for Revenge

    In order to get back at the Miller for stealing their flour, the two students plot revenge. Alan says that he is going to "have that wench there" meaning he wants to engage in sexual intercorse with her. John stays in the bed, but does not want to be alone so he pulls the baby cradle close to his bed.
  • Orgy in The Miller's House

    Alan has sexual relations with the Miller's daughter three times in one night. The Miller's wife gets up to use the chamber pot and feels for the cradle to return to her bed, but she actually gets in bed the John. The Miller's wife just goes with it and John "lays it on her well" which means he had sex with her.
  • The Morning After

    When the sun comes up, Alan bids farewell to the Miller's daughter. In return for the gift of pleasure which he had given her, the daughter tells Alan where his stolen sack of flour is.
  • John Climbs in the Wrong Bed

    John is searching for Alan and sees the cradle next to one of the beds, so he assumes that is the Miller's bed. Not knowing that Alan switched the cradle during the night, John hops in bed with the Miller.
  • Time to Split

    Alan tells the Miller that he "screwed" his daughter three times last night. Outraged, the Miller gets up and starts screaming and swearing. The Miller's wife, thinking that it is one of the students who is screaming, grabs a club and hits the Miller on the head with it. The two students seize the opportunity and leave with their flour.