Coo-Coo's Second Husband
The narrative follows the life of a pet canary named Coo-Coo, who suffers an injury after a traumatic event. Initially thought to be unhurt, it becomes clear that Coo-Coo has a sprained wing, leading her owner, a young girl, to worry about her well-being. The girl's mother seeks help from a local bird expert, who advises that Coo-Coo will recover but may suffer from loneliness without a companion. The family decides to buy another canary, named Fritz, to keep Coo-Coo company. Despite her injury, Coo-Coo and Fritz bond well, with Fritz even feeding her during her recovery. Over time, Coo-Coo's wing does not fully heal, but she adapts to her new life with Fritz. After two years of companionship, Coo-Coo unexpectedly dies, leaving Fritz to continue living. The girl reflects on the nature of animals and their seemingly heartless behavior, as Fritz resumes his normal activities shortly after Coo-Coo's death. The story explores themes of companionship, loss, and the innocence of animals, ultimately leading to a contemplation of life and death in the animal kingdom.
By Mary Louisa Molesworth · First published 1894 · Genre: Children's Literature, Animal Fiction, Family Saga · 1,788 words
First lines
I told you the sad end of poor Frise-tete, but the history of Coo-Coo is by no means finished yet. She had not escaped without any injury, though at first we thought she was not hurt. But as soon as she recovered a little from her dreadful fright we saw to our great sorrow that one of her wings hung down in a most sad and helpless manner. I turned away shuddering.
"Is it quite broked, Mamma? " asked my little brother Charley. He looked at it with the greatest interest and curiosity. "Horrid little boy, I said to myself! And it does seem sometimes as if boys had very little feeling, though I don't really think so of poor Charley.
What this Textopian page supports
Coo-Coo's Second Husband is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary Louisa Molesworth, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Mary Louisa Molesworth
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Animal Fiction, Family Saga, Realism, Drama
- Length: 1,788 words
- Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Coo-Coo's Second Husband by Mary Louisa Molesworth
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The narrative is centered around a child's perspective, focusing on themes of empathy, care for animals, and the innocence of childhood.
- Animal Fiction — The story revolves around the life and experiences of a pet bird, Coo-Coo, highlighting the bond between humans and animals.
- Family Saga — The plot involves family dynamics, particularly the interactions between siblings and their mother as they care for Coo-Coo.
- Realism — The writing style reflects everyday life and realistic situations, focusing on the emotional responses of the characters.
Tags
Children's Literature · Fantasy · Romance · Adventure · Mystery · Coming-of-age · Family Drama · Social Class · Marriage · Love Story · Friendship · Growing Up