The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

LEGEND OF THE CUCKOO BIRD

IN SOME REMOTE VILLAGE OF MACEDONIA, WOMEN WILL TELL YOU THAT IF
YOU WAKE UP EARLY IN (THE) MORNING AND HEAR THE SOUND OF THE
CUCKOO BIRD, THERE WILL BE A DEATH OF A CLOSE RELATIVE. TO
AVOID THIS, YOU MUST GET SOME LIQUID OR FOOD INTO YOU BEFORE YOU
HEAR THE CUCKOO. A WOMAN NAMED SOPHIA ONCE WOKE UP EARLY AND,
AS SHE WAS LYING (IN) BED, SHE HEARD THE CUCKOO. THAT DAY SHE
GOT NEWS THAT HER SISTER IN THE NEXT VILLAGE HAD DIED.

Submitter comment: JAMES'S FATHER RELATED THIS STORY TO HIM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 12-05-1967