The Cock, the Cuckoo, and the Black-cock
Reading edition
Once upon a time the Cock, the Cuckoo, and the Black-cock bought a cow between them. But when they came to share it, and couldn’t agree which should buy the others out, they settled among them that he who woke first in the morning should have the cow.
So the Cock woke first.
“Now the cow’s mine!
Now the cow’s mine!
Hurrah! Hurrah!”
he crew, and so pleased was he that in his excitement he awoke the Cuckoo.
“Half cow!
Half cow!”
sang the Cuckoo, and woke up the Black-cock.
“A like share, a like share;
Dear friends, that’s only fair;
Saw see, see saw!”
That’s what the Black-cock said.
And now can you tell me which of them ought to have the cow?
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