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ONCE A BOY DID NOT SWALLOW THE EUCHARIST, BUT TOOK
IT OUT OF HIS MOUTH. HE TOOK IT HOME AND CUT IT
IN HALF WITH A KNIFE. IT BLED.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT TOLD THIS VERY SERIOUSLY, BUT WAS SKEPTICAL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK

Keyword(s): COMMUNION, SACRAMENT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 10-23-1971

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JESUS HELPS THOSE THAT HELP THEMSELVES

ONE DAY JESUS WAS TAKING A WALK WITH PETER DOWN AN OLD
ROAD. THEY SAW A MAN WITH A DONKEY BY THE SIDE OF THE
ROAD, THE DONKEY GOT STUCK IN THE MUD. THE MAN FELL DOWN
ON HIS KNEES AND HE STARTED PRAYING, "GOD, OH GOD, PULL
MY DONKEY OUT OF THE MUD." BUT JESUS JUST KEPT WALKING
BY. AS HE KEPT WALKING, ANOTHER MAN AND DONKEY WERE
STUCK IN THE MUD. BUT THE MAN WAS CUSSING, SWEARING,
SAYING, "YOU DAMN BASTARD MULE." AS HE SWORE HE WAS
PULLING AND PUSHING THE DONKEY. JESUS WENT DOWN AND
HELPED HIM.
AFTER, PETER ASKED JESUS, "WHY DID YOU HELP THIS MAN
WHO CUSSED, AND NOT THE MAN WHO PRAYED?" JESUS SAID
THAT HE HELPED HIM 'CAUSE HE WAS HELPING HIMSELF.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK

Keyword(s): BIBLICAL TALE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 01-24-1972

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MARTIN LUTHER

WHEN I WAS LITTLE, MAMIE CLEANED OUR HOUSE EVERY TWO
WEEKS. SHE WAS THE ONLY NON-CATHOLIC, IT SEEMS, I
KNEW. MAMIE USED VINEGAR AND WATER TO WASH WINDOWS
AND I USED TO ASK HER WHY SHE DIDN'T USE "WINDEX"
OR SOMETHING I WOULD SEE IN A MAGAZINE. SHE TOLD ME
SINCE SHE WAS LUTHERAN AND OUR DUST WAS CATHOLIC,
SHE HAD TO USE VINEGAR BLESSED BY MARTIN LUTHER.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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SAINT IGNATIUS LOYOLA, JUST BEFORE FOUNDING THE JESUIT
ORDER, HEARD HIS FRIEND, FRANCIS OF ASSISSI SAY THAT
WHAT DOES IT PROFIT A MAN IF HE GAINS THE WHOLE
WORLD BUT SUFFERS THE LOSS OF HIS SOUL. HE WAS
TALKED INTO JOINING THE SEMINARY.

Submitter comment: HE WAS TOLD THIS BY A SEMINARIAN OF THE PASSIONIST
ORDER OF MISSOURI.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 04-00-1965

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IT IS GENERALLY BELIEVED AMONG THE SISTERS OF THE
CARMEL OF THE DIVINE HEART, THAT THE MOTHER FOUNDRESS
DECIDED UPON THE TYPE OF GARB THE COMMUNITY SHOULD
WEAR, WHEN SHE SAW A VISION OF OUR BLESSED MOTHER,
IN WHICH SHE WAS WEARING THE HABIT WHICH THE SISTERS
STILL WEAR TODAY.

Submitter comment: I RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION FROM THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH
HOME FOR THE AGED (DETROIT), IN 1961.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 00001961 SUMMER

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LEGEND OF THE VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE

THE MEXICAN FAMILY WITH WHOM I STAYED TOLD ME THIS
STORY OF HOW DEVOTION TO THE VIRGIN DE GUADALUPE
CAME ABOUT:
AN INDIAN WALKING ALONG IN SEARCH OF THE LAST RITES
FOR A DYING UNCLE, MEETS A BEAUTIFUL CHILD, DRESSED
LIKE AN INDIAN MAIDEN. THIS CHILD MADE THE INDIAN
GATHER ROSES AND IT WAS IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER! THE
INDIAN GATHERED THESE ROSES AND PLACED THEM IN HIS
"PONCHO." ON RETURNING TO HIS VILLAGE, THE INDIAN
OPENED HIS "PONCHO" TO SHOW THE ROSES AND INSTEAD OF
ROSES, THERE APPEARED, PAINTED ON HIS "PONCHO" THE
IMAGE OF A DARK-SKINNED VIRGIN WHO STOOD UPON THE
MOON.

Submitter comment: I MADE THIS ENTRY JAN. 30, 1967. I SPENT THE SUMMER
OF 1965 IN A SMALL MEXICAN VILLAGE HEUTZU
AND HAD
THE OPPORTUNITY OF OBSERVING THE PEOPLE AND OF
PARTICIPATING IN THEIR ACTIVITIES.

Where learned: MEXICO

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 00001965 SUMMER

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MIRACULOUS BATH WATER

SOME FOURTH GRADERS I TAUGHT INFORMED ME OF A STORY
THAT THEIR THIRD GRADE TEACHER, SR. WILMA, HAD TOLD THEM
THE YEAR BEFORE:
JUST ABOUT THE TIME JESUS WAS BORN, ANOTHER LADY IN
BETHLEHEM HAD A BABY, TOO. THIS BABY WAS ALL
CRIPPLED. ONE DAY, JESUS' MOTHER WAS GIVING HIM A
BATH. THE LADY KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT
MARY'S BABY, AND ASKED TO USE THE SAME WATER. WHEN SHE
TOOK HER LITTLE BOY OUT OF THE WATER, HE WASN'T
CRIPPLED ANY MORE.

Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS STORY WHEN I WAS A TEACHER AT THE SCHOOL
MENTIONED ABOVE.

Data entry tech comment: I WILL PARAPHRASE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; SAINT ISAAC JOGUES SCHOOL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 00-00-1961

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A LESSON IN KINDNESS TO STRANGERS

JESUS AND PETRUS WERE WALKING AROUND LITTLE VILLAGES IN
GERMANY. THEY DIDN'T WANT ANYBODY TO KNOW WHO THEY
WERE BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO SEE WHAT THE PEOPLE WERE
REALLY LIKE, IF THEY WERE KIND TO STRANGERS.
WHEN THEY GOT TO SIPPLINGEN, A LITTLE VILLAGE, THEM
PEOPLE WAS SO NICE AND KIND AND GAVE THEM FOOD AND A
PLACE TO SLEEP. SO THEN JESUS AND PETRUS TOLD THEM WHO
THEY WAS. THEN JESUS SAYS, "SEE THEM FIELDS? NOW PRETTY
SOON YOU GONNA HAVE GRAPES."
THEN THE PEOPLE WAS SO HAPPY AND THEY MADE UP WINE FROM
ALL THESE GRAPES.
THEN THE WORD ABOUT THE GRAPES WENT BACK TO UVERLINGEN,
A VILLAGE WHERE JESUS AND PETRUS WAS BEFORE SIPPLINGEN.
THEN THESE PEOPLE WAS RUNNING TO JESUS AND PETRUS AND
SAYING, "PLEASE COME BACK TO OUR VILLAGE. WE DIDN'T
KNOW YOU WAS JESUS AND PETRUS."
SO THEY ALL WENT BACK TO THAT VILLAGE AND THE PEOPLE SAY,
"JESUS, WHY YOU WON'T GIVE US SOME GRAPES, TOO?" JESUS
SAID, "THAT'S ALL RIGHT." AND HE DONE THIS. PETRUS
DIDN'T LIKE THIS AND SAY TO JESUS, "THEY WAS NOT KIND TO
US BEFORE. WHY YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM GRAPES?" BUT
JESUS SAY, "KEEP QUIET, PETRUS. I KNOW MY WORK."
BUT AFTER JESUS AND PETRUS GO AWAY AND THE PEOPLE
MAKE THE WINE AND TASTE IT, THEY FIND OUT IT WAS SOUR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY, ASSUMED ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant

Date learned: UNCERTAIN

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IN THE INFORMANT'S TOWN THEY TELL THIS STORY. ST. PETER
AND CHRIST WERE WALKING AND CHRIST DESTROYED AN ENTIRE
TOWN BECAUSE OF A FEW EVIL MEN. PETER KEPT ASKING CHRIST
WHY HE DESTROYED ALL OF THE TOWN, BUT CHRIST WOULD NOT
ANSWER. LATER THAT DAY A SWARM OF BEES ATTACKED PETER
AND PETER SWATTED SEVERAL BEES WHEN ONE OF THEM STUNG
HIM. CHRIST THEN ASKED PETER, "WHY DID YOU KILL ALL
THOSE BEES, ONLY ONE STUNG YOU!"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect

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ST. PATRICK LEGEND

ONE DAY, ST. PATRICK STUCK HIS STAFF INTO THE GROUND AND
IT GREW INTO A TREE. (PROBABLY A BLACK THORN TREE.)
HE ALSO CHASED ALL THE SNAKES OUT OF IRELAND AND TO THIS
DAY THERE AREN'T ANY SNAKES IN THE WHOLE OF IRELAND.

Submitter comment: MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS WHEN SHE LIVED IN BELFAST,
IRELAND, ABOUT 1910.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Plant Life
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal

Date learned: 01-13-1964 ; 00-00-1910

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Content filter on this entry.

CHRIST CAME BACK TO EARTH AND NOBODY RECOGNIZED HIM.
HE WAS WALKING AROUND AND HAPPENED TO STROLL INTO A
JEWISH SYNAGOGUE AND WAS TALKING TO THE RABBI. THE
RABBI LOOKED PECULIARILY AT HIM AND COMPLAINING OF
POOR EYESIGHT ASKED HIM TO MOVE BACK A FEW STEPS.
CHRIST DID. NOW AT THE BACK OF THE CHURCH THERE WAS A
HUGE CROSS (ED. NOTE. WHAT A CROSS WAS DOING IN A
JEWISH SYNAGOGUE I DON'T KNOW. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE
TELLER HE SAID IT WAS JUST THE WAY THE JOKE WAS TOLD.)
AND WHEN THE RABBI HAD BACKED CHRIST TO IT, HE QUICKLY
PULLED OUT A HAMMER AND NAILS AND NAILED CHRIST TO THE
CROSS, SAYING "GOT YOU AGAIN, AND THIS TIME YOU WON'T
GET AWAY."

Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; RODNEY

Keyword(s): ANTISEMITISM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 03-25-1965

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JOKE ABOUT RALEIGH COUPONS AND THE CRUCIFIXION

A CENTURION, JUST GETTING OFF OF WORK, NOTICED A LOT
OF COMMOTION UP ON MT. CALVARY, SO HE DECIDED TO SEE
WHAT WAS HAPPENING. WHEN HE GOT TO THE TOP OF THE
HILL, HE SAW CHRIST UP ON THE CROSS AND STOPPED TO
HAVE A CIGARETTE. HE REACHED INTO HIS POCKET TO FIND
HE WAS ALL OUT OF CIGARETTES, SO HE ASKED CHRIST FOR
ONE. CHRIST REACHED INTO HIS SIDE AND THREW A PACK OF
CIGARETTES DOWN. THE CENTURION SAID THANKS AND,
"HEY, YOU SMOKE RALEIGHS, TOO." CHRIST REPLIED: "SURE,
WHERE DO YOU THINK I GOT THIS SWELL CROSS."

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 10-17-1967

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HOW THE HUNGARIAN SCISSORBILL BIRD RECEIVED ITS NAME

THIS BIRD RECEIVED ITS NAME BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT, WHEN CHRIST
WAS CRUCIFIED, THIS BIRD WAS ALLEGED TO HAVE TRIED TO PULL THE
NAILS OUT AND THUS RECEIVED ITS TWISTED BILL.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED FROM HER GRANDMOTHER.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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TINY TOM

TINY TOM WAS SENT TO A CHILDLESS COUPLE WHO LIVED IN A SMALL TOWN
IN ITALY. THE CHILD WAS SENT BECAUSE THE MAMA PRAYED TO THE
VIRGIN FOR A CHILD. HE CAME IN A PEA POD.
TOM NEVER GREW BIGGER THAN A THUMBNAIL, EVEN AFTER HE WAS SEVEN
YEARS OLD. ONE DAY HIS MAMA WAS BAKING AND TOM WAS SITTING ON
THE WINDOW SILL. HIS FATHER'S COW WAS SITTING OUTSIDE THE WINDOW.
HIS MAMA SNEEZED AND BLEW TOM OUT THE WINDOW AND HE FELL ON THE
COW'S TONGUE. TINY TOM SLIPPED DOWN THE TONGUE AND INTO THE COW'S
STOMACH.
IT WAS DARK INSIDE AND TOM WAS FRIGHTENED. HE CALLED OUT TO HIS
MAMA BUT SHE DID NOT HEAR HIM. WHEN HIS PAPA CAME HOME FOR DINNER
FROM THE FIELDS, TOM'S MAMA DISCOVERED THAT TOM WAS NOWHERE TO BE
FOUND. THEY FRANTICALLY SEARCHED EVERYWHERE, BUT TOM COULD NOT BE
FOUND ANYWHERE.
FOR TWO DAYS TOM'S PAPA AND MAMA LOOKED EVERYWHERE. THEY WERE
JUST TOO WORRIED OVER TOM TO WORK. THEY HAD NOT EVEN MILKED THEIR
COW WHO GROANED IN PAIN. BUT AFTER THAT MUCH TIME, PAPA AND MAMA
WERE READY TO GIVE UP.
THE COW KEPT MAKING SO MUCH NOISE THAT MAMA REALIZED SHE HAD NOT
BEEN MILKED. SO PAPA MILKED THE COW. WHILE HE WAS MILKING THE
COW, PAPA HEARD, "HELP! MAMA, PAPA! HELP!"
PAPA, HEARING THIS, LOOKED DOWN AND BY GOLLY, THERE WAS TOM
FLOATING ON A LEAF THAT HAD FALLEN INTO THE BUCKET OF MILK.
TOM'S PAPA SWOOPED HIM UP AND CARRIED HIM LOVINGLY TO THE HOUSE.
WHEN MAMA SAW TOM, SHE ALMOST CRIED.
ALL THREE HAD A PARTY THAT NIGHT AND FROM THEN ON, WHENEVER TOM
SAT ON THE WINDOW SILL, HIS MAMA TIED A THREAD AROUND HIM AND
ANCHORED HIM DOWN SO THAT IF HE FELL HE COULD CLIMB BACK UP THE
THREAD. FROM THEN ON TINY TOM, HIS MAMA, AND PAPA LIVED HAPPILY
EVER AFTER.

Submitter comment: HE HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER AND SHE LEARNED THE STORY FROM
ITALY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

Date learned: 10-25-1967

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NOT GIVEN

THERE WAS A SHRINE TO THE BLESSED MOTHER ON THIS MOUNTAIN IN
ITALY. IT WAS A VERY SACRED PLACE. THERE THE STATUE WAS ENCASED
IN GLASS. ONE DAY SOME BOYS WERE PLAYING "BOTCHES" (LIKE BOWLING)
AND ONE OF THE BALLS ROLLED NEAR THE GLASS CASE, THE NEXT ONE
ROLLED AND BROKE THE GLASS AT THE FEET OF THE STATUE. THE FEET
OF THE STATUE STARTED BLEEDING.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS COLLECTOR'S MOTHER.

Data entry tech comment: "BOTCHES" = BOCCI BALL?

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails

Date learned: 10-14-1965

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THE LEGEND OF THE LESZEKS AND POPIELS

AFTER THE DEATH OF WANDA, THE LEGENDARY HEROINE AND RULER OF
CRACOW, THERE RULED A GROUP OF TWELVE PALATINES. THEY FEARED
THAT SOME ENEMY WAS APPROACHING FROM RUMORS THAT WERE GOING AROUND
IN THE COUNTRYSIDE. THE ENEMY WAS SCARED OFF BY THE FORESIGHT
AND INGENUITY OF A YOUNG GOLDSMITH, LESZEK.
ON THE BUSHES AND TREES HE HUNG UP THE SHIELDS, SHINY ONES, AND
HELMETS OF THE ARMY. WHEN THE ENEMY SAW THE MULTITUDE OF THESE
SHIELDS AND HELMETS FROM FAR OFF, THEY QUICKLY LEFT, AFRAID OF
THE "LARGE ARMY" THAT AWAITED THEM. ABOUT 760 A.D. LESZEK BEGAN
HIS REIGN. HE IS ALSO KNOWN AS PRZEMYSTAIN, "AN INGENIOUS
PERSON."
WHEN LESZEK DIED, HE LEFT NO SON. THE KINGDOM, THEREFORE, HELD
A HORSE RACE TO SEE WHO WOULD BE THE NEXT RULER. THERE WERE
FIFTEEN OR SO BRAVE VOLUNTEERS. ONE SCHEMING PARTICIPANT COVERED
THE ROAD OF THE RACE WITH NAILS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE RACE. HE
DREW HIMSELF A PATH IN THE SAND SO THAT HE COULD FOLLOW WITHOUT
HURTING HIS OWN HORSE. ANOTHER PARTICIPANT DISCOVERED THE TRICK
AND PUT IRON HORSE SHOES ON HIS OWN HORSE. HE WON THE RACE AND
BECAME LESZEK II.
AFTER SEVERAL RULERS CAME POPIEL I WHO TRANSFERRED THE CAPITOL
OF POLAND FROM CRACOW TO GNIEZNO, FROM WHICH THE KINGDOM ORIGINA-
TED. HE THEN TRANSFERRED, IT IS SAID, TO THE CITY OF KRUSZWICZ
NEAR THE LAKE OF GOPLO. IT WAS HIS SON, POPIEL II, WHO WAS A
VERY GLUTTONOUS AND WEAK CHARACTER. IT IS SAID THAT HE WAS BALD
AND HAD A THICK BEARD CALLED "CHWOSTEK." HE HAD A GERMAN WIFE
WHO WAS SAID TO BE WICKED AND CRUEL, AND WHO TEMPTED HER HUSBAND
OFTEN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SITUATIONS AND DO WRONG.
IT WAS A CUSTOM AMONG THE SLAVS TO NAME THEIR SONS AFTER THEIR
SEVENTH BIRTHDAY. HIS HAIR WAS THEN CUT FOR THE FIRST TIME
AND A BIG FEAST WAS HELD WITH FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. POPIEL II
HELD SUCH A FEAST FOR HIS SON. MANY PEOPLE WERE INVITED.
AT THIS SAME TIME, TWO PILGRIMS CAME TO HIS CASTLE ASKING FOR
REFUGE, BUT POPIEL AND HIS WIFE ANGRILY CHASED THEM OUT. IN THE
EYES OF THE POLISH AND THE SLAVS IN GENERAL, SUCH BREAKING OF THE
LAWS OF HOSPITALITY WAS A SERIOUS CRIME. POPIEL SOON PAID FOR
IT.
IT IS SAID THAT THE TWO PILGRIMS WERE REALLY TWO ANGELS. OTHERS
SAY THEY WERE THE SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS ON A MISSION. BUT
THIS INCIDENT DID NOT CHANGE POPIEL. HE CONTINUED IN HIS DRUNKEN
REVELRIES AND CRIMES ONLY TO ESCAPE THE PANGS OF HIS GUILTY CON-
SCIENCE.
FINALLY, WITH COUNSEL OF HIS WIFE, HE HELD A FEAST FOR ALL HIS
RELATIVES IN ORDER TO "MAKE UP" FOR THE TIMES HE DID THEM WRONG.
HE REALLY BELIEVED THAT THESE PEOPLE WERE THE CAUSE OF HIS GUILTY
FEELINGS. AT THIS FEAST, HE POISONED EVERYONE.
IMMEDIATELY HIS PUNISHMENT FOLLOWED. FROM THE BODIES OF THE DEAD
CAME OUT HUNDREDS OF MICE. THESE MICE CHASED POPIEL AND HIS WIFE.
THEY TRIED TO HIDE IN A TOWER, BUT DID NOT SUCCEED AND WERE EATEN
UP BY THE MICE AS WELL AS WERE HIS PEOPLE. THIS TOWER, CALLED
"MICE TOWER" OR "THE TOWER OF POPIEL," STANDS IN THE CITY OF
KRUSZIVICA, POLAND.

Submitter comment: THESE LEGENDS I'VE KNOWN SINCE CHILDHOOD DAYS FROM MY PARENTS AS
WELL AS FROM MY LESSONS IN POLISH HISTORY I TOOK FROM MRS. HELEN
CHMIELEWSKI OF DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Angel
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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CHRIST JOKE

DO YOU KNOW HOW CHRIST RECEIVED HIS NAME? WELL, WAY BACK WHEN,
THESE THREE GUYS CAME TO VISIT THE BABE WHO, AS YOU KNOW, WAS
BORN IN THIS OLD CAVE. NOW THIS CAVE WAS VERY, VERY LOW AND ONE
OF THESE THREE GUYS WAS EXTREMELY TALL. AFTER KNEELING FOR A
LONG TIME BEFORE THE BABE, THE TALL ONE, FORGETTING THE KIND OF
PLACE HE WAS IN, ROSE QUICKLY AND BANGED HIS HEAD. "JESUS
CHRIST!" SHOUTS HE. AND MARY TURNS TO JOSEPH, UPON HEARING THIS,
AND SAYS, "GEE, JOSEPH, THAT WOULD BE A BETTER NAME THAN
ARCHIBALD."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite

Date learned: 01-06-1967

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LEGEND OF THE POINSETTIA

AT THE TIME OF THE BIRTH OF THE CHRIST CHILD, A YOUNG SHEPHERD BOY
WANTED TO VISIT THE CHILD BUT HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO BRING HIM.
THERE WAS A RED FLOWER BY HIM, SO HE PICKED IT AND SAID THAT THIS
WOULD BE HIS GIFT TO THE CHRIST CHILD. WHEN HE PRESENTED IT TO
THE CHILD, HE SMILED JOYFULLY AT THE BOY. MANY YEARS LATER THIS
SAME BOY, NOW A MAN, WAS STANDING BY THE CROSS ON WHICH CHRIST WAS
HANGING. WHEN THE BLOOD FLOWED OUT OF THE SPEAR WOUND OF CHRIST
AND HIT THE GROUND, A RED FLOWER EXACTLY LIKE THAT GIVEN BY THE
SHEPHERD BOY SPRUNG UP. RIGHT THEN THE MAN KNEW THAT THIS WAS THE
SAME PERSON TO WHOM HE HAD ONCE GIVEN THE RED FLOWER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant
SPEECH -- Folk Name for Plant

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THE CRYING JESUS

IN BAVARIA (BRAVARIA?) THERE IS A CHURCH NAMED ST. DENISE WHERE
IN THE 1400'S A GROUP OF VILLAGERS MADE A CROSS WITH CHRIST ON IT,
BUT THE CHRIST WAS SO UGLY AND WHEN USED THE PEOPLE WERE ALWAYS
HORRIFIED. SO IT WAS DECIDED TO GET A NEW ONE MADE--THE OLD CHRIST
WAS STORED IN A BARN AND FORGOTTEN. YEARS LATER A PEASANT WOMAN
FOUND IT AND BROUGHT IT HOME, WHERE TEARS STREAMED FROM THE EYES.
SHE TOOK IT TO THE PARISH PRIEST WHO CLAIMED A MIRACLE AND HE
BUILT A CHURCH IN THE CRYING JESUS'S IMAGE AND MEMORY. THE CROSS
IS STILL IN THE CENTER OF THE CHURCH.
PEOPLE TRULY BLIEVE IN THE MIRACLE.

Where learned: GERMANY

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Church

Date learned: 10-02-1970

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INSPIRATION?

ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO, A GIRL FROM ALASKA ENTERED THE CONVENT.
AFTER ABOUT TWO WEEKS, SHE CLAIMED THAT SHE WAS HAVING VISIONS
OF CHRIST, WHO, SHE CLAIMED, HAD MADE HER A SPECIAL DISCIPLE.
AT THIS POINT, SHE WAS DISMISSED AND LATER ENTERED THE STRICT
CARMEL.

Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS STORY FROM THE INFORMANT ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.

Where learned: WISCONSIN ; WAUWATOSA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious

Date learned: 09-00-1962

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