In The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed and Don’t Count Your Chickens, the main characters are the younger brothers who are often underestimated by their older siblings. In The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed, the main character is the Swallow who learns the importance of perseverance and determination. He states, "I shall find a way to marry the princess!" despite facing numerous challenges. This shows his determination to overcome obstacles in pursuit of his goal. In Don't Count Your Chickens, the main character is the youngest brother who doesn't give up when his older brothers fail. He says,"I'm going to see this thing through now!" which highlights his perseverance and refusal to be discouraged by failure.
The qualities and values of the younger brothers in both stories are different from those of their older siblings. The younger brothers possess qualities such as determination, resilience, and perseverance, while the older brothers are often arrogant and overconfident. In The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed, the Swallow's determination to marry the princess is in stark contrast to the arrogant attitude of the other suitors. This is shown when he says, "I shall find a way to marry the princess!" In Don't Count Your Chickens, the youngest brother's refusal to give up even after his older brothers fail demonstrates his resilience and perseverance. This is evident when he declares, "I'm going to see this thing through now!"
The author wants readers to learn from the younger brothers in the story about the power of determination and perseverance in the face of challenges. The plot of both stories revolves around the younger brothers overcoming obstacles and proving their worth despite being underestimated. In The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed, the Swallow's determination to marry the princess leads him to success, while in Don't Count Your Chickens, the youngest brother's perseverance helps him win the hand of the princess. The language used in both stories is simple and straightforward, with quotes like "I shall find a way to marry the princess!" and "I'm going to see this thing through now!" emphasizing the characters' determination and resilience. Literary devices such as foreshadowing and characterization are used to highlight the strengths of the younger brothers and the weaknesses of their older siblings.