Character Spotlight: The Cob

By Kayla Aldrich, Read to Them staff

Hello, all! Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for– the kick-off for our reading of E.B. White’s The Trumpet of the Swan! We are so excited to finally dive into this timeless story of music and love, but before we do, we thought it best to introduce you to a very special character:

The Cob

Name: The Cob

Species: The Cob is a Trumpeter Swan. He’s got a long white neck and a black bill and is, according to Sam, an enormous creature. When the Cob stretches out his wings, they are eight feet from tip to tip. That is huge!

Call: When flying, the Cob makes a “Ko-hoh! Ko-hoh!” sound that resembles the trilling noise of a trumpet. This is why this particular species of swan is called Trumpeter Swans.

Family: The Cob has a mate, simply known as the Swan. They are expecting five babies that should be hatching at any time!

Home: The Cob lives in Canada with the Swan. They were lucky enough to find an ideal location– a tiny island in a quiet, swampy pond that’s perfect for detecting approaching enemies while keeping them near enough to their food source. Their nest is a huge mound of sticks and grasses woven together, shaped to fit the Swan’s body. Cozy, eh?

Personality: While he watches his wife prepare their nest, the Cob extends his wings to their full length. To the Swan, this shows how strong and courageous the Cob is, even though he’s showing off. The Cob is encouraging and knowledgeable, aiding his mate in anyway he can. He may be strong, but he’s not above being playful, too.

Notable Quote: “I didn’t fly all the way north into Canada to get involved with a boy.”

While this is only a glimpse at the Cob, you have to wonder: what lengths would he go to to make sure his dear family stays happy and thriving? You’ll have to read on to find out! Be sure to join us here on Wednesday for an exclusive piece focusing on Financial Literacy in this text! In the meantime, if you’re reading along with us or taking part in our live activities, be sure to tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We can’t wait to see how you’re enjoying the read, but until we meet again, all— be well, be kind, and happy reading.