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THE LEGEND OF THE TRUMPETER OF CRACOW
IN OLD POLAND THERE IS A LEGEND CONCERNING A CHURCH TOWER
AND ITS TRUMPETER, WHO WAS PLEDGED TO SOUND THE ANGELUS
TO THE PEOPLE OF CRACOW WITH A BEAUTIFUL MELODY.
ONCE, WHEN THE PEOPLE WERE DEFENDING THEIR CITY AND CHURCH
AGAINST THE HEATHEN TARTARS, THEY WERE ON THE VERGE OF
GIVING IN TO THE ONSLAUGHT OF GENGHIS KHAN. WEAK AND
WOUNDED, THEY WERE READY TO GIVE THEMSELVES OVER TO THE
MERCILESS ENEMY, WHEN A FAMILIAR SOUND ROSE ABOVE THE
FIGHTING AND GAVE THEM NEW STRENGTH AND COURAGE. IT WAS
THE SOUND OF THE TRUMPET FROM THE TOWER OF THE CHURCH
OF PANNA MARJA, THE CHURCH OF "LADY MARY," PLAYING
THE ANGELUS. THE TRUMPETER NEVER FINISHED HIS SONG,
SINCE A TARTAR ARROW KILLED HIM. CRACOW WAS SAVED, HOWEVER,
BY HIS INSPIRATION.
EVER AFTER, THE TRUMPETERS OF PANNA MARJA HAVE LEFT
THE MELODY UNFINISHED IN MEMORY OF THE TRUMPETER OF
CRACOW, WHO DIED RATHER THAN TO LET THE WHIM OF A HEATHEN
KEEP HIM FROM FULFILLING HIS VOWS TO MARY.
THE MELODY IS PLAYED, DAILY, TO THIS DAY FROM THE CHURCH
TOWER. THERE, IN CRACOW, I HEARD IT MYSELF, AS WELL AS
THE LEGEND, WHICH I KNEW FROM CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): KRAKOW
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE LEGEND OF KRAKUS
AFTER THE FOUNDING OF POLAND (550 A.D.) BY A LEGENDARY
HERO NAMED LECH, THERE FOLLOWED TWELVE PALANTINES.
THEIR RULING WAS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. FINALLY, THE
PEOPLE CHOSE A YOUNG PRINCE NAMED KRAKUS. HE WAS KNOWN
TO HAVE KILLED A TERRIBLE DRAGON LIVING IN A CAVE,
UNDER THE HILL OF WOWEL NEAR THE VISTULA RIVER,
AFTER WHICH THE CITY OF KRAKOW, OR CRACAW, WAS BUILT.
SINCE KRAKUS WAS SUCH A JUST AND NOBLE RULER, THE PEOPLE
BUILT UP A MOUND, BY HAND, IN HONOR OF HIM. THIS MOUND
EXISTS TO THIS DAY.
THE LEGEND OF KRAKUS' VICTORY OVER THE FIERY DRAGON GOES
LIKE THIS:
FOR MANY YEARS THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THIS AREA FEARED THE
DRAGON THAT LIVED IN THE CAVE. OFTEN HE WOULD ROAR
WHEN HE WAS HUNGRY, SHAKING THE EARTH AS HE DID. ONCE
A YEAR THE DRAGON WOULD COME OUT INTO THE FIELDS WHERE
THE SHEPHERDS HAD THEIR SHEEP GRAZING. HE WOULD ROAR
WITH FIRE COMING OUT OF HIS MOUTH. TO SATISFY THE ANGRY
DRAGON, THE PEOPLE WOULD OFFER A YOUNG MAIDEN, EVERY YEAR,
{FOR HIM} TO CONSUME. HE WOULD THEN RETURN TO HIS CAVE
FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
KRAKUS, BEING A CLEVER YOUNG MAN, DECIDED TO CONQUER THIS
DRAGON. THE PEOPLE PROMISED HIM THE KINGDOM IF HE COULD.
HE TOOK A LAMB, CUT IT OPEN, AND STUFFED IT WITH
BRIMSTONE. HE LEFT THIS LAMB OUT IN THE FIELD WHEN THE
ANGRY DRAGON CAME OUT. SEEING NO YOUNG MAIDEN AROUND,
THE HUNGRY DRAGON QUICKLY DEVOURED THE LAMB. SUDDENLY,
HE WAS VERY THIRSTY. IN HIS THIRST, HE WENT TO THE
VISTULA RIVER TO DRINK. HE DRANK AND DRANK, UNTIL HE
BURST OPEN. THUS THE TERRIBLE DRAGON WAS DEAD AND
KRAKUS WAS THE HERO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CLINTON STREET RUN
IN BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, THERE IS A LENGTH OF CLINTON
STREET THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE 100 BARS ALONG ITS LENGTH.
DURING THE 1930S, IT WAS A FEAT OF MANLINESS TO GO DOWN
THE STREET AND HAVE A BEER AT EACH BAR. THIS WAS
THE CLINTON STREET RUN. ONLY TWO MEN EVER COMPLETED
THE RUN. ONE IS NOW THE MAYOR OF NEARBY ENDICOTT,
NEW YORK, AND HE PASSED OUT AND DIDN'T WAKEN FOR TWO
DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; NEW YORK ; BINGHAMTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 03-17-1972 ; 00001930S
PRINCESS MONICA
PRINCESS MONICA WAS THE ONLY DUGHTER OF KING SMIALY II.
WHEN SHE WAS OF AGE TO MARRY, THE KING SENT OUT INVITATIONS
TO SUITORS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. BUT TO WIN THE HAND OF
HIS DAUGHTER, THE HOPEFUL SUITOR FIRST HAD A DIFFICULT
TEST TO PASS.
THE TEST WAS TO RIDE HORSEBACK AROUND THE CASTLE. THE
CASTLE WAS LOCATED ON TOP OF A VERY STEEP MOUNTAIN WITH
A DEEP MOAT BELOW. PRINCESS MONICA AND KING SMIALY
WATCHED AS CHOSEN NOBLE AFTER CHOSEN NOBLE PERISHED
UNTIL THE REMAINING SUITORS REFUSED THE TEST AND FLED.
GLOOM FILLED THE KING. PRINCESS MONICA WAS ANGRY AT HER
FATHER FOR USING HER TO OBTAIN A STRONG AND BRAVE KING
FOR POLAND. JUST BEFORE HER MARRIAGE HOPES DIED, IN
RODE A FAIR-HAIRED KNIGHT. THAT EVENING, THE KING
WOOED THE KNIGHT WITH FOOD AND DRINK WHILE PRINCESS
MONICA FASCINATED HIM WITH HER BEAUTY.
THE NEXT DAY, THE KING TOLD THE KNIGHT OF THE TEST.
WITHOUT HESITATION, THE KNIGHT MOUNTED HIS HORSE AND
SET OUT TO ACCOMPLISH THE KING'S DEMAND.
PRINCESS MONICA LOOKED WITH FASCINATION AS THE BRAVE
KNIGHT NEARLY STUMBLED TO HIS DEATH AND GRAVE. BUT THE
KNIGHT PASSED THE TEST AND EMERGED AMONGST SHOUTS AND
CHEERS. THE KNIGHT DID NOT DISMOUNT. HE REJECTED
EVERYTHING THE KING OFFERED HIM INCLUDING THE PRINCESS.
THE KNIGHT RODE AWAY.
AFTER THE KING DIED, FIGHTING BETWEEN NOBLES TOOK PLACE.
FINALLY, A BRAVE KNIGHT LOYAL TO THE THRONE CRUSHED
REBELLING NOBLES. THE PEOPLE WISHED HIM TO BE THE NEW
KING.
THOUGH NO ONE REMEMBERED HIM AS ANY MORE THAN A KNIGHT,
PRINCESS MONICA RECALLED HIM AS THE ONLY MAN TO PASS HER
FATHER'S TEST.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS WHILE IN POLAND AND WAS SKEPTICAL
OF THE STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 10-09-1971
POPIEL AND PIAST
A POLISH LEGEND: A MYTHICAL POLISH RULER WAS THE EVIL
PRINCE POPIEL, A PREDECESSOR OF PIAST. HE WAS UNIVERSALLY
DESPISED FOR HIS RUTHLESSNESS, AND WHEN HIS PEOPLE
REVOLTED, HE SOUGHT REFUSE IN A TOWER AT KRUSZEVICA ON
ON LAKE GOPLO, ONLY TO BE DEVOURED ALIVE BY MICE AND
RATS. THE HUMBLE WHEELWRIGHT, PIAST, KNOWN FOR HIS
GOODNESS, HOSPITALITY AND HONESTY, WAS THEN ELECTED TO
SUCCEED THE EVIL POPIEL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
THE RED HAND OF THE O'NEILLS
A LONG TIME AGO, THE KING OF IRELAND DIED. SO THE CITIZENS
HAD TO FIND A NEW KING. APPARENTLY, THE SUCCESSOR WAS
IN DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO MEN, ONE OF THEM A NOBLE NAMED
O'NEILL. THE PEOPLE DEVISED A RACE, WHERE THE FIRST
MAN TO CROSS A BODY OF WATER WOULD BECOME KING. THE RACE
BEGAN, BUT HUGE WAVES PREVENTED THEM FROM LANDING. THE
FUTURE KING WOULD HAVE TO TOUCH THE SHORE TO BECOME KING.
THE O'NEILL BEING THE CLEVER MAN, REALIZED HE NEEDED HIS
RIGHT HAND TO RULE. SO HE TOOK A SWORD AND CUT OFF HIS
LEFT HAND AND THREW IT ON THE SHORE. THUS HE WAS THE
FIRST MAN TO TOUCH SHORE AND BECAME KING. THE RED HAND
OF THE O'NEILLS CAN STILL BE SEEN ON THE FAMILY COAT OF
ARMS.
Submitter comment:
THE O'NEILLS RULED IN ULSTER AND LIMERICK. THE COAT
OF ARMS OF ULSTER HAS THE RED HAND OF THE ONEILLS ON IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 12-08-1972
WARTIME POLITICAL STORY-VARIANT
THE INFORMANT, A VETERAN OF WWII, IS A BROTHER OF A CLOSE
FRIEND OF MINE. DURING THE SUMMER OF 1947 I WAS INVITED
TO HIS HOME FOR DINNER. DURING A DAY LONG RECITAL OF HIS
MILITARY EXPERIENCES, HE TOLD THIS STORY:
A G.I. RETURNING TO HIS GROUP IN THE GERMAN THEATRE DURING
WWII. HE WAS IN TERRIBLE CONDITION. HIS UNIFORM WAS
PRACTICALLY GONE, HIS ARMS AND LEGS WERE BLOODY, HIS FACE
COVERED WITH MUD AND BLOOD. WHEN FIRST SEEN, HE GAVE
THE APPEARANCE OF HAVING BEEN IN A TERRIFIC BATTLE WITH THE
GERMANS. HE WAS RETICENT ABOUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND IT
WAS ASSUMED HE WAS JUST MODEST. HE RECEIVED SEVERAL MEDALS
AND WAS DISCHARGED AFTER THE WAR AS ONE OF THE MOST DECORATED
HEROES.
UPON HIS DISCHARGE, HE CONFIDED TO HIS FRIENDS ABOUT WHAT
REALLY HAPPENED ON THAT FATEFUL DAY.
HE BECAME SEPARATED FROM HIS PLATOON AND WAS HIDING IN A
DITCH. HE NOTICED A GERMAN HIDING IN A DITCH ON THE OTHER
SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE SHOUTED, "THE HELL WITH HITLER!"
HOPING TO GET A RISE OUT OF THE GERMAN. THE GERMAN
SHOUTED, "THE HELL WITH ROOSEVELT!" WHEREUPON, BOTH
SOLDIERS WALKED TO THE CENTER OF THE ROAD AND SHOOK HANDS.
WHILE THEY WERE STANDING THERE, THEY WERE BOTH RUN OVER
BY A TANK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
TRADITIONAL JEWISH STORY
WHILE VISITING MY BROTHER IN AN ANN ARBOR HOSPITAL, I
WAS INTRODUCED TO THE INFORMANT, WHOM MY BROTHER REFERRED
TO AS THE "RABBI." HE WAS UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE OF A NECK
BRACE, BUT WHEN MY BROTHER SUGGESTED HIM AS A SOURCE OF
TALES HE BRIGHTENED UP CONSIDERABLY.
DAVID HAD A WIFE AND THREE DAUGHTERS. (THE INFORMANT DID
NOT KNOW WHY, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS THREE DAUGHTERS). DAVID
HAD A DIFFICULT TIME MAKING ENDS MEET AND ACQUIRED A
REPUTATION FOR BEING HONEST BUT POOR AND UNRELIABLE. ONE
DAY, DISGUSTED WITH THE SIZE OF THE MILK BILL, HE DECIDED
TO BUY A COW. WITH THE SURPLUS MILK HE STARTED TO
ESTABLISH REGULAR CUSTOMERS. THEN HE BOUGHT A HORSE AND
WAGON TO DELIVER THE MILK. THEN HE PURCHASED ANOTHER COW
AND SO ON, UNTIL HE HAD A THRIVING BUSINESS. HE BECAME
QUITE PROSPEROUS. HIS NEIGHBORS BECAME ENVIOUS OF HIM
AND REPORTED HIM TO THE TOWN OFFICIALS. THE MAYOR HIMSELF
WANTED TO MEET HIM AND INTERROGATE HIM ABOUT HIS BUSINESS
WHICH SOME HAD SUGGESTED MUST BE EITHER IMMORAL OR ILLEGAL.
THE MAYOR DUYRING THE INTERVIEW REVIEWED THE CHANGES IN
DAVID'S FORTUNES AND ASKED HIM ABOUT IT. DAVID REPLIED,
"I SAY MY MORNING PRAYERS."
THE MAYOR DISMISSED THE CASE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT APOLOGIZED BECAUSE THE STORY SUFFERS IN
TRANSLATION FROM THE YIDDISH OF HIS GRANDPARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 02-24-1967
WARTIME POLITICAL STORY
I HEARD THIS STORY FROM A VETERAN OF WWII IN 1947. THE
ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS IN THE NAMES OF THE POLITICAL FIGURES.
MY BROTHER-IN-LAW, THE INFORMANT, WAS A VETERAN OF THE
KOREAN WAR AND TOLD ME THIS STORY.
HE WAS TALKING ABOUT A MEDAL HE HAD RECEIVED AND EXPLAINED
HOW HE CAME TO BE DECORATED. IT SEEMS HE BECAME SEPARATED
FROM HIS PLATOON IN KOREA. BEING BEHIND ENEMY LINES, HE
DECIDED TO HIDE IN A DITCH UNTIL IT WAS DARK. HE NOTICED
A NORTH KOREAN IN A DITCH ACROSS THE ROAD, BUT HE DIDN'T
HAVE A GOOD SHOT AT HIM. HE SHOUTED, "THE HELL WITH CHO
EN LAI!" THE KOREAN SHOUTED BACK, "TO HELL WITH HARRY
TRUMAN!" WHEREUPON THEY BOTH GOT OUT OF HIDING, WALKED
TO THE CENTER OF THE ROAD AND SHOOK HANDS. WHILE THEY
WERE STANDING THERE, THEY WERE BOTH RUN OVER BY A TANK.
RETURNING TO HIS PLATOON ALL DISHEVELED AND BLOODY,
THEY INSISTED ON DECORATING HIM AS A HERO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1947
THE LEGEND OF WANDA
WANDA WAS THE DAUGHTER OF KRAKUS, A LEGENDARY HERO
AND POLISH RULER IN PAGAN TIMES. A YOUNG GERMAN PRINCE,
NAMED RYDYGIER, WANTED TO MARRY WANDA WHEN SHE WAS
REIGNING. SHE DID NOT WANT TO MARRY HIM, AS HE WAS
A GERMAN. IN ORDER TO FORCE THIS MARRIAGE, RYDYGIER
BROUGHT HIS WHOLE ARMY TO THE CITY OF CRACOW, WHERE
WANDA RULED. WANDA'S ARMY CONQUERED HIS AND SO THAT
HER PEOPLE WOULD NOT HAVE TO SUFFER FOR HER CAUSE, SHE
THREW HERSELF INTO THE VISTULA RIVER. IT IS ALSO SAID
THAT WANDA HAD VOWED HER DEATH TO THE GODS IF HER ARMY
CONQUERED RYDYGIER'S. IN HER HONOR A MOUND WAS BUILT,
BY HAND, BY HER PEOPLE, WHICH EXISTS TODAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MISSISSIPPI LEGEND
THE EXPLORER, DE SOTO, STOLE ALL THE AZTECS GOLD, BUT
NONE OF HIS MEN KNEW THAT HE HAD IT; HE WAS GOING TO
KEEP IT ALL FOR HIMSELF. ONLY A SERVANT KNEW. THE
INDIANS BECAME ANGRY, SO DE SOTO AND HIS MEN HEADED UP INTO
WHAT IS NOW LOUISIANA. THEY WERE BUILDING BOATS TO SAIL
HOME, WHEN DE SOTO DIED. THEY PUT HIS BODY ON A BOAT AND
SANK IT SO THE INDIANS WOULDN'T GET HIM. BY MISTAKE--OR
UNKNOWINGLY--THEY SANK THE BOAT WITH THE MONEY ON IT, SO
BOTH THE GOLD AND DE SOTO ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE
MISSISSIPPI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-15-1965
GENERAL DE GAULLE WAS BUYING CEMETERY PLOTS.
THE GUY SAID IT COST $2,000. DE GAULLE SAID, "ISN'T
THAT QUITE A BIT--I ONLY PLAN ON STAYING THREE DAYS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FRENCH ; RESURRECTION IMMORTALITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
TALL TALE: JOHN MUSKOVICH (PRONOUNCED MUS-KOH'-VICH)
DID I EVER TELL YOU THE STORY OF THE GREATEST AMERICAN--JOHN
MUSKOVICH? ONE DAY JOHN WAS SITTING AT THE LOCAL BAR IN MINOOKA,
PENNSYLVANIA WHEN THE GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA, MILTON SCHAPP, WAS
ON TELEVISION. JOHN TURNED TO HIS BUDDY AND SAYS, "HEY, THERE'S
MY BUDDY MILTY; ME AND MILT HAVE BEEN FRIENDS FOR A LONG TIME."
HIS BUDDY RESPONDS, "ARE YOU TELLING ME YOU ARE FRIENDS WITH THE
GOVERNOR OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS STATE?" TO WHICH JOHN REPLIES,
"YEAH." HIS BUDDY SAYS, "WELL, I'LL BET YOU TEN DOLLARS THAT YOU
DON'T REALLY KNOW THE GOVERNOR." SO THAT AFTERNOON THE TWO GUYS
GOT INTO THE CAR AND WENT OFF TO HARRISBURG. SOON AFTER THEY
WALKED INTO THE CAPITAL BUILDING, NONE OTHER THAN MILTON SCHAPP
CAME WALKING DOWN THE HALL. AS SOON AS SCHAPP SAW JOHN HE SAYS,
"JOHN MUSKOVICH, HOW YA DOIN'. LONG TIME . . . ." SO JOHN WON
THE TEN DOLLARS.
THE NEXT DAY JOHN AND HIS BUDDY WRE BACK IN MINOOKA WATCHING THE
TELEVISION WHEN PRESIDENT NIXON CAME ON. JOHN IMMEDIATELY SAYS,
"HEY, THERE'S MY BUDDY TRICKY DICK." HIS BUDDY SAYS, "WAIT A
MINUTE. YESTERDAY YOU SAID YOU KNEW THE GOVERNOR, NOW YOU SAY
YOU KNOW THE PRESIDENT. I'LL BET YOU $100 THAT YOU DON'T KNOW
THE PRESIDENT." AND THE NEXT MORNING THE TWO WERE OFF TO WASHING-
TON, D.C. THEY WERE WALKING OUTSIDE OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND PAT
NIXON JUST HAPPENED TO BE OUT ON THE LAWNS AND SHE IMMEDIATELY
SPOTS JOHN AND SAYS, "JOHN MUSKOVICH! HOW ARE YOU? IT'S BEEN A
LONG TIME. DICK WILL BE SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU." AND JOHN WON THE
$100.
ABOUT A WEEK LATER BACK AT THE MINOOKA BAR, THE TWO MEN WERE TALK-
ING AND JOHN'S BUDDY SAID, "LAST WEEK YOU SAID YOU KNEW THE GOVER-
NOR AND THEN THE PRESIDENT; I BET THE NEXT THING YOU'LL SAY IS
THAT YOU KNOW THE POPE!" TO WHICH JOHN REPLIES, "HEY, ME AND PAUL
BEEN FRIENDS FOR A LONG TIME." HIS BUDDY SAYS, "OKAY, I'LL BET
YOU $1,000 YOU DON'T KNOW THE POPE." AND THE NEXT DAY THE TWO ARE
ON A PLANE HEADED FOR THE VATICAN. WHEN THEY GET THERE IT JUST
HAPPENED THAT THE POPE WAS HAVING AN AUDIENCE WITH THE PUBLIC THAT
AFTERNOON. JOHN DECIDED TO LEAVE HIS BUDDY IN THE CROWD AND
HEADED IN TO SEE THE POPE HIMSELF. JUST AFTER JOHN WALKS OUT ON
THE BALCONY WITH THE POPE, THERE'S A BIG COMMOTION IN THE CROWD AND
JOHN SEES THAT HIS BUDDY HAD PASSED OUT. JOHN COMES RUNNING DOWN
AND GETS OVER TO HIS BUDDY AND SAYS, "HEY, WHAT HAPPENED?" HIS
BUDDY REPLIES,"THERE WERE THESE TWO NUNS NEXT TO ME AND ONE SAID
TO THE OTHER, 'WHO'S THAT UP THERE WITH JOHN MUSKOVICH?'"
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
A TALL TALE
THEN THERE WAS THE TIME THAT PAUL BUNYAN WENT HUNTING. HE WAS
THE SUREST SHOT AND THE FASTEST RUNNER THAT EVER WADED ACROSS
THE MISSISSIPPI. THEY STILL TALK OF IT OUT IN THE NORTHWEST.
WELL, PAUL SIGHTED A BIG BUCK A MILE AWAY; IT WAS STANDING ON
THE EDGE OF A CLIFF. PAUL KNEW THAT IF HE SHOT HIM HE WOULD FALL
OFF THE CLIFF. SO PAUL PULLED THE TRIGGER--AND AS SOON AS THE
BULLET LEFT THE GUN HE RAN TO WHERE THE BUCK WAS STANDING. HE
RAN SO FAST THAT HE GOT THERE AHEAD OF THE SHOT AND HAD TO DUCK
HIS HEAD TO LET THE BULLET GO BY. WELL SIR, THAT BUCK WAS KILLED
ALL RIGHT. BUT NOT BY THE BULLET. WHEN HE SAW PAUL STANDING
THERE, HE WAS JUST SCARED TO DEATH. IT DIED WITHOUT THE SHOT
EVER REACHING IT.
YOU KNOW THAT'S HOW THINGS HAPPEN IN THE PAUL BUNYAN COUNTRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale BELIEF -- Angel |
Date learned: 06-00-1964
A TALL TALE
DID YOU EVER HEAR OF THE HOUSE THAT PAUL BUNYAN BUILT IN THE
NORTH WOODS?
IT WAS SO HIGH THAT HE HAD TO PUT THE LAST FIVE STORIES ON
HINGES TO LET THE MOON GO BY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Moon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 06-00-1964
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
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ROMAN OBSERVATION:
THE ROMANS DISLIKE THE ORNATE AND OSTENTATIOUS "ALTAR OF THE
NATION" WHICH CONTAINS A MONUMENT TO VICTOR EMMANUAL II.
THEY SAY: "THE BEST VIEW OF THE CITY IS FROM THE TOP OF THIS
BUILDING, BECAUSE ONLY FROM THE TOP DO YOU NOT HAVE TO LOOK AT
THIS MONSTROSITY."
Where learned: ITALY ; ROME ; IN A LETTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Monument |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
COLLEGE LEGEND
MIKE TOLD ME ABOUT A FANTASTIC PHILOSOPHY PROFESSOR
AT JOHN CARROLL {UNIVERSITY, CLEVELAND, OHIO},
WHO GAVE AN ENTIRE COURSE WITH ONLY ONE TEST, A FINAL.
ON THIS CUMULATIVE FINAL, HE ASKED BUT ONE QUESTION
ON WHICH TO BASE THE GRADE FOR AN ENTIRE SEMESTER.
THE QUESTION WAS "WHY?" NATURALLY, THE CLASS WORKED
FURIOUSLY TO INCLUDE ALL ASPECTS OF PHILOSOPHY IN
THEIR ANSWERS WITHIN THEIR ALLOTTED TIME. BUT WHEN
THE TESTS WERE GRADED, ONLY ONE PERSON RECEIVED
AN A FOR THE COURSE. HE WAS THE STUDENT WHOSE
ENTIRE SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM CONSISTED OF TWO
WORDS: "WHY NOT?"
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
Keyword(s): PHILOSOPHER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 04-00-1966
ALBERT EINSTEIN
ONE TIME EINSTEIN WAS MAKING A JOURNEY BY TRAIN.
WHEN THE CONDUCTOR CAME TO COLLECT THE TICKETS, HE
SEARCHED THROUGH HIS POCKETS, BUT COULDN'T FIND HIS
TICKET. THE CONDUCTOR RECOGNIZED HIM AND TOLD HIM
TO FORGET ABOUT IT. EINSTEIN REPLIED THAT HE HAD
TO FIND THE TICKET, BECAUSE HE COULDN'T REMEMBER
WHERE HE WAS GOING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MEMORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
JOHNNY APPLESEED
JOHNNY APPLESEED WAS TO HAVE STAYED OVERNIGHT AT
THEIR FARM HOUSE. FOR LETTING HIM SLEEP THERE, HE
PLANTED AN APPLE TREE IN THEIR FRONT YARD. WHICH IS
STILL THERE TODAY.
Submitter comment:
DERBY'S FARM HOUSE HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN TO THEM FROM
PAST GENERATIONS. IT IS LOCATED ABOUT TWO MILES
NORTHEAST FROM CARSONVILLE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; CARSONVILLE ; 2 MILES NORTHEAST
Keyword(s): LEGENDARY FIGURE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 05-00-1963