the story
Down at Queenston on the Niagara River you can see clear across to Lewiston in the US of A. Conversely, if you are the cow in our story, you can see all the way back, and feel sick to the pit of all your stomachs.
A few days back she’d been over there in that Queenston field eating that fresh, succulent, Queenston grass. Then, before she knew what was happening, she’d been driven off to market with all those men shouting and yelling. And then had found herself stranded in this field with the tantalising view of what used to be, but separated by this coursing river.
Now, the other man’s grass is always greener, and this goes doubly for cows who knew their grass, and trebly for cows who’ve actually tasted the other cow’s grass and liked it. Our heroine yearned to join her old friends on the other side of the river.
Cows drink the stuff, but could they swim in it? She didn’t know, but it was sure enough worth finding out.
That homesick cow waded down into the waters and commenced to teach herself to swim. Cow-paddle isn’t elegant, not a stroke for an Olympic swimmer to emulate, but for her it was effective enough.
After a lot of energy and time had been spent she was back in dear old Queenston tasting that well-remembered grass. Did it taste as good as she remembered? You’re right, it did!
It wouldn’t matter how many times she was sold across that river, she was a Canadian cow and she would come paddling home.
Key Stage 2 Activities
The Cows-word
Here is a completed crossword but we’ve lost the clues. Can you help?
Decide what the clues should be. If you’re really interested in puzzling you might even be able to think up some cryptic clues and anagrams. Why not have a go!
Letter Of Complaint
The farmer at Lewiston must have been pretty mad when he found his new cow gone.
Can you help him write his letter of complaint?
Happy Cow
Can you draw a picture of a happy cow who’s been eating that good Canadian grass?
Home Comforts
Our cow was driven on by her love of that green, green grass of home.
What’s the thing that you look forward to most when you get home?
Un Canadien Errant / Once A Canadian Lad
See lyric…
Once a Canadian lad,
Exiled from hearth and home,
Wandered, alone and sad,
Through alien lands unknown.
Down by a rushing stream,
Thoughtful and sad one day
He watched the water pass
And to it he did say:
“If you should reach my land,
My most unhappy land,
Please speak to all my friends
So they will understand.
Tell them how much I wish
That I could be once more
In my beloved land
That I will see no more.”
“My own beloved land
I’ll not forget till death,
And I will speak of her
With my last dying breath.
My own beloved land
I’ll not forget till death,
And I will speak of her
With my last dying breath.”
en français…
Un canadien errant,
Banni des ses foyers,
Un canadien errant,
Banni de ses foyers,
Parcourait en pleurant
Des pays étrangers.
Parcourait en pleurant
Des pays étrangers.
Un jour, triste et pensif,
Assis au bord des flots,
Un jour, triste et pensif,
Assis au bord des flots,
Au courant fugitif
Il adressa ces mots,
Au courant fugitif
Il adressa ces mots:
“Si tu vois mon pays,
Mon pays malheureux,
Si tu vois mon pays,
Mon pays malheureux,
Va, dis à mes amis
Que je me souviens d’eux
Va, dis à mes amis
Que je me souviens d’eux.”
“O jours si pleins d’appas
Vous êtes disparus …
O jours si pleins d’appas
Vous êtes disparus,
Et ma patrie, hèlas!
Je ne la verrai plus!
Et ma patrie, hèlas!
Je ne la verrai plus!”
“Non, mais en expirant,
O mon cher Canada!
Non, mais en expirant,
O mon cher Canada!
Mon regard languissant
Vers toi se portera,
Mon regard languissant
Vers tois se portera …”
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