“We might do that,” said the children; “but if some one were to throw a stone at us, he wouldn’t have to take aim.”
“Well, you’ll see him stooping down to pick up the stone,” said the old Magpie.
“But supposing he carries a stone in his hand, ready?”
“Why, if you’re sharp enough to think of that,” said their mother, “you’re sharp enough to take care of yourselves!”
And with that she flew away and left them.
The Cock, the Cuckoo, and the Black-cock
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!