To view the original Internet Sacred Text Archive, visit archive.sacred-texts.com
The Cock, the Cuckoo, and the Blackcock
The archive, offline Own the Wisdom of the Ages Every text in the library on a single USB drive. Read offline, cite freely, keep forever. No subscription required. Get the drive $127.00

The Cock, the Cuckoo, and the Blackcock

The Cock, the Cuckoo, and the Blackcock

[This is another of those tales in which the birds' notes must be imitated.]

Once on a time the Cock, the Cuckoo, and the Blackcock bought a cow between them. But when they came to share it, and could not agree which should buy the others out, they settled that he who woke first in the morning should have the cow.

So the Cock woke first.

p. 199

"Now the cow's mine!

Now the cow's mine!

Hurrah! hurrah!"


he crew, and as he crew, up awoke the Cuckoo.

"Half cow!

Half cow!"


sang the Cuckoo, and woke up the Blackcock.

"A like share, a like share;

Dear friends, that's only fair!

Saw see! See saw!"


That's what the Blackcock said.

And now, can you tell me which of them ought to have the cow?

Support the archive. Read ad-free with unlimited highlights, bookmarks, and annotations. $5/mo Become a Member Join

Comments and social are coming soon

Reader conversations and shared activity will appear here.

41 of 87 Book 46% ~1 min left