Mrs. Cow by David Cory (1976)

Name: Mrs. Cow
Author: David Cory

The narrative follows a cow who, anxious about being milked, mistakenly believes she is being pursued by a rabbit. As she runs, she encounters Little Jack Rabbit, who is actually on his way to gather cranberries, not to milk her. The cow's misunderstanding highlights her desire for autonomy, as she insists that only the Kind Farmer can milk her. The rabbit reassures her, clarifying his intentions, which allows Mrs. Cow to relax and accompany him for a while. Their conversation reveals their friendly relationship and provides insights into their lives, including the rabbit's plans for cranberry jelly and the cow's mention of Mr. Bull. The story emphasizes themes of misunderstanding, friendship, and the importance of communication. As they reach the end of the meadow, the rabbit hops off to fulfill his task, leaving Mrs. Cow to reflect on her earlier fears. The lighthearted tone and whimsical characters create an engaging tale that explores the dynamics of rural life and the bonds between animals.

By David Cory · First published 1976 · Genre: Children's Literature, Animal Fiction, Adventure · 440 words

First lines

"TING-A-LING! ting-a-ling! " went Mrs. Cow's bell. Mrs. Cow seemed mighty anxious to get away from somebody. Yes, sir! she kept right on running, although every now and then she'd turn her head to look behind her.

By and by Little Jack Rabbit came hopping over the top of the hill with a tin pail in his paw. But, goodness me! Mrs. Cow didn't have to run away from him. No indeed. He wasn't going to milk her. He didn't have a milk pail at all, but a little dinner pail, and Mrs. Cow was mistaken and had run away for nothing.

What this Textopian page supports

Mrs. Cow is listed on Textopian as a short story by David Cory, dated 1976 CE.

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

Work type: Short story
Author: David Cory
Date: 1976 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Animal Fiction, Adventure
Length: 440 words
Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Work identity for Mrs. Cow by David Cory
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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Children's Literature — The story revolves around characters tailored for children's understanding and pleasure. The thematic focus is ideal for building empathy and comprehension skills in young readers.
Animal Fiction — The main character is a cow, presented in an anthropomorphized way typical of animal fiction. This genre also encourages relating to non-human characters and understanding their perspectives.
Adventure — The book contains various journeys and experiences offering excitement and suspense, elements typically found in adventure books.