Dun Cow

Dun Cow was a giant girl Who gave us All her milk. Kindly would she Stand there Pails filled to the brim

“How now, dun cow?” Folks would ask “Why do you share it all?”

“Because what I have I want to give Like those who came before,” She said.

Then one day, a clever witch Decided for a laugh, To test the cow’s capacity To take more than enough.

She used a sieve A bowl with holes Underneath our hero cos Instead of filling up the pail The milk just drained away.

“How dare you take Advantage of me.” Dun cow was in a stink “I’m going away for a while now To have a good long think.”

Why do people take advantage When we seek to be kind? “Take modestly when I give,” She said “Then I really do not mind.”

Dun cow may come back one day Folks still wait and hope And in the meantime, share Whatever’s left We all just have to cope.

Poem by Jessica Symons Artwork and Folklore research by Hannah Mosley Narrated by Louise Wardle