The Cuckoo Calls Too Late

Synopsis

With the arrival of spring, the cuckoo and its young come back to the mountain village, crying "Cuckoo, cuckoo!" to urge the locals to sow their grain. Various animals and birds react with delight, remarking that the cuckoo is behind schedule this year, as the villagers have already planted their seeds and the sprouts are visible. Doubtful, the cuckoo checks the fields and sees them full of new growth. Its longtime friend, the scarecrow, explains that modern farming methods allow for earlier planting and harvesting, making the cuckoo feel obsolete. Following the scarecrow’s suggestion, the cuckoo tries to teach its offspring to call out "Early planting, early harvest," but remains dissatisfied with how forced this new cry sounds.