Good evening, children. It's Granny Madduff, ready with a story. So make yourselves comfy, and I'll begin.

Once upon a time, a father called his three sons and gave them each a gift. The first a rooster, the second a scythe, and the third

a cat. Their father told them, it is time, my sons, for you to spread your wings. Money I have

little of, but these gifts I give, although perhaps not outright valuable, might prove to be if you make sensible use of them.

Take them to a country where they are still unknown and your fortune will be made.

The eldest son, Henry, travelled the land,

high and low, from village to town to great castle walls.

But the people had all seen a rooster,

and not only that, they had their own.

He could hear them as they cooed and crowed,

and Henry knew he must continue on.

Finally, he found an island where they had no roosters.

They had never seen one before and knew nothing about them.

The people on the island did not even keep the time.

Feast your eyes upon this magnificent creature, he said.

The red crown upon his head, how splendid and regal it is.

And even more, he crows three times at night always at specific times and when he crows the last crow

the sun will soon rise but if he calls out during the day heed his warning for the weather will soon turn

the people were intrigued.

They stayed up all night and sure enough,

the rooster crowed at two o'clock, four o'clock and six o'clock.

How much for him? they asked Henry.

...