The Cuckoo by Basil Hall Chamberlain

Name: The Cuckoo
Author: Basil Hall Chamberlain

A young man named John is obsessed with a woman named Mary, who is engaged to another man. He becomes increasingly unhinged and fixates on the idea of her being his destined love. The story follows his descent into madness as he becomes convinced that she will eventually leave her fiancé and be with him instead.

By Basil Hall Chamberlain · First published 1922 · Genre: Folklore, Fantasy, Children's literature · 128 words

First lines

The male cuckoo is called "kakkok", the female "tutut". Both are beautiful birds, and live in the sky. But in spring they come down to earth, to build their beautiful bottle-shaped white nests. Happy the man who gets one of these nests, and lets no one else see it. He will become rich and prosperous. Nevertheless, it is unlucky for a cuckoo to light on the window-sill and look into the house; for disease will come there. If it lights on the roof, the house will be burnt down.

(Written down from memory. Told by Penri, 16th July, 1886.)

What this Textopian page supports

The Cuckoo is listed on Textopian as a short story by Basil Hall Chamberlain, dated 1922 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Basil Hall Chamberlain
Date: 1922 CE
Language: English
Genres: Folklore, Fantasy, Children's literature
Length: 128 words
Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Cuckoo by Basil Hall Chamberlain
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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Cuckoo?
How does this short story by Basil Hall Chamberlain fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Folklore first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Folklore — The book is a translation of a traditional Japanese folk tale.
Fantasy — The plot includes supernatural elements and talking animals, common in fantasy literature.
Children's literature — The simple wording, short sentences, and moral lesson embedded within the story make it suitable for children.